to mangled Marlborough place names
When temperatures drop a smoke-like mist rises over the Ōpaoa River, a once vital transport link looping its way through Marlborough.
The striking characteristic of the river is thought to have inspired its name Ōpaoa which translates to smoking, or smokey river.
This kōrero, or story, was lost when settlers misspelt the river ‘Opawa’.
It was regained almost 200 years later through the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi settlements that included the restoration of the correct names across Marlborough.
The same can not be said for Blenheim names Opawa St and Opawa Walk which were named after the river, but remain misspelt.
Those are among dozens incorrect names Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau Trust general manager Corey Hebberd showed the Marlborough District Council earlier this year in a bid to restore the mana to “misappropriated” place names.
Link to article: Iwi aim to restore mana to mangled Marlborough place names | 1 NEWS | TVNZ
