November 29, 2022
Von Tempsky consigned to history
Von Tempsky St is no more.
The Hamilton St named after the Austrian mercenary who led a militia in the New Zealand Wars was today renamed Puutikitiki Street, while nearby Dawson Park was renamed Te Wehenga Park.
Lady Tureiti Moxon, whose Te Kōhao Health operates a kaupapa Māori complex called Puutikitiki in the neighbourhood, says it puts right in a small way, the wrongs of the past.
She says a lot of streets in Kirikiriroa had militia or colonial era names – like Hamilton, Von Tempsky Street, Bryce Street, Grey Street, and Victoria Street.
Pharmacist Ian McMichael, who lobbied Hamilton City Council to make the change, says it was fantastic working with Ngāti Wairere and council staff to find names which go back to the original inhabitants of the lands and allow their memories to be honoured.