April 08, 2018
Te Ururoa Flavell former Minister of Maori Development talks to Dale Husband on the Breakfast Show.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), has come to agreement with the Rotorua Lakes Council on utilising te reo Maori sign reading Haere mai Ki Rotorua to celebrate Rotorua's Heritage as New Zealands's First Bilingual City.
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick says NZTA rejected it, but now it's on the same page.
"We've had an assurance that we'll work through the issue – that's good news," he explained.
NZTA originally referred to a 2004 rule and said the sign must be written in English.
Ms Chadwick says this was a misunderstanding applied to speed limit signs, not welcome signs.
"NZTA will work with us now, and we'll get the welcome signage sorted, so that's great.
"We'll be the first bilingual city with bilingual signage welcoming people."
NZTA said they are working with local councils to incorporate bilingual road signage.
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