Te Papa Tākoro o Whitikau – He Ingoa Whakarauora
Image sourced from: https://www.opotikinz.co.nz/visit/things-to-do
As Aotearoa celebrates 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we are reminded that the revival of names is also the revival of identity, language, and wellbeing.
In 1972, more than 30,000 people signed the reo Māori petition, calling for te reo Māori to be taught in schools. That moment ignited a movement that reshaped the motu and lead to kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa, Māori media, and the recognition of te reo as an official language. The theme this year, “Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori - 50 Years Strong”, celebrates the resilience of that movement and the normalisation of te reo in our everyday lives. Across Aotearoa, stories and reflections are being shared online to mark this milestone, reminding us that te reo Māori thrives when it is spoken and lived in our kāinga, kura, and communities. Whitikau is one of those stories, a local expression of this kaupapa.
Here in Ōpōtiki, the story of Whitikau reflects that same journey. Once known officially as Volkner’s Island Reserve, the place we now call Te Papa Tākoro o Whitikau carries a deep whakapapa. It was kaumātua Danny Poihipi who reminded the Ōpōtiki District Council of its original name. At the same time, the Council corrected the spelling of Ōpōtiki to include macrons, recognising the importance of language and pronunciation. Led by mana whenua, Ngāti Ngahere, the name Whitikau was reintroduced and gradually normalised with the support of Council and the wider community. Today, Whitikau is proudly spoken, and also embedded in official records, maps, and everyday community life.
Whitikau recalls the time when the area was an island, where people would whiti (cross) and kau (swim) to gather, connect, and park waka. Restoring the name has restored whakapapa, strengthening tuakiritanga and belonging.
Today, Whitikau is not only a hub for rangatahi to gather, but also a central space for the community. It is the home of night markets, hīkoi, kapa haka, concerts, festivals, and other events that bring whānau together. Each occasion is enriched by the power of the name itself, a kupu that breathes life back into the whenua and the people.
Whitikau is also part of Taku Hīkoi, which connects to the wider Motu Trails. More than just a cycle and walking path, Taku Hīkoi is a living prevention system that encourages whānau to move, explore, and connect with their environment. Our involvement has helped to embed mātauranga Māori and iwi narratives along the trail, make te reo Māori visible in public spaces, and align with the Healthy Families East Cape priority of strengthening built environments. By supporting infrastructure that connects people to culture, reo, and whenua, we are shaping places that make the healthy choice the easy choice, and the Māori choice the visible choice.
Reviving names like Whitikau is more than cultural recognition; it is an act of health prevention. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory conditions are connected to disconnection from whenua, language, and community. Restoring names and normalising te reo Māori reconnects people to whakapapa, creating protective factors that strengthen hauora and reduce the risk of chronic illness. Every time the name Whitikau is spoken, it nurtures movement, whanaungatanga, and te reo Māori, the very foundations of wellbeing.
The story of Whitikau is also a story of leadership and equity. It shows how kaumātua, iwi, mana whenua, and community voices can influence systems, reshape council decisions, and bring about meaningful change. This is systems change in action, it is shifting structures so they reflect community values, elevate local leadership, and deliver outcomes that improve equity for Māori.
As we mark Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Whitikau stands as a shining example of what is possible when communities lead. The revival of names is more than symbolic it is a powerful act of prevention, equity, and transformation. We need to see more of this happening throughout the country, so that every community can restore names, revive whakapapa, and create healthier futures for generations to come.
Te Papa Tākoro o Whitikau is more than a name on a map; it is a taonga, he ingoa whakarauora, a name that revives whakapapa, identity, and connection to whenua. When those ties are strong, so too are our health and wellbeing.
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