NZGB to consult on giving Poverty Bay an official Māori/English name

The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa will shortly be seeking views on whether to change Poverty Bay, the bay south of Gisborne where Captain Cook first arrived in New Zealand, to a dual name Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay.

Gisborne District Council made the proposal to the Board.

"The Board met on 12 April 2018 and decided to progress the Council’s proposal, which would place the Māori name alongside the existing English name for the bay," says Board Secretary Wendy Shaw.

"Tūranganui-a-Kiwa is typically referred to as the great standing place of Kiwa. Poverty Bay was given by Captain Cook when he landed there in 1769 and was unable to re-supply his ship.

"The Board will publicly consult on the proposal for three months starting late May. People can make submissions during that timeframe."

ENDS

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