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The Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa is consulting on an iwi proposal to change the names of National Park village and railway station in the central North Island back to Waimarino.
Board spokesperson Wendy Shaw says Waimarino means ‘calm waters’ – and refers to the streams pooling on the plains after they come down from Ruapehu maunga.
The name change is also supported by the local council and Kiwirail – which has already put up a Waimarino sign.
While the dual name of National Park-Waimarino has been suggested, it’s not the preferred option.
“There’s already common use by, especially, mana whenua of Waimarino for the village. And that’s in part what’s causing a bit of confusion between the name National Park and the name Waimarino,” Ms Shaw says.
If public submissions overwhelmingly favour dual names, the board will consider it.
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