Land Information Minister Damien O'Connor said he was pleased to have the opportunity to restore the maunga's original name. File photo. Photo: Dom Thomas
A hill near Tauranga popularly known as Mt Misery has had its Māori name, Maungatūtū, officially recognised.
After public consultation the New Zealand Geographic board put its recommendation to Land Information Minister Damien O'Connor, and he agreed with it.
"I'm pleased that we have this opportunity to restore the original Māori name for the maunga," O'Connor said.
The name Mount Misery has never been an official one but it is believed to have come into local use around a century ago, as locals struggled with poor farming conditions.
Board chair Anselm Haanen said the change addresses challenges arising from multiple places with the same name.
"Despite the negative connotations, Mount Misery is a surprisingly common name," Haanen said.
"There are 21 other Mount Miserys in Aotearoa New Zealand, including one that is only 60 kilometres away at Morrinsville. Removing this duplication helps remove potential confusion and makes it easier to identify a site, particularly for emergency services."
Mount Misery has never been the maunga's official name but is believed to have come into local use around a century ago, as locals struggled with poor farming conditions. Photo: Supplied
The maunga is an extinct volcanic cone, marking the rohe of several iwi and hapū from Tauranga Moana.
Haanen noted that Maungatūtū was referred to in multiple Treaty settlements.
"Ngāi Te Ahi and Ngāti Hē are kaitiaki and mana whenua of the maunga, and both used the name Maungatūtū. Ultimately the Board recognised the whanaungatanga between the iwi and hapū groups with interests in the maunga and recommended Maungatūtū as the most appropriate name."