Tararua Mayor Tracey Collis said new signage throughout the district would boost the uniqueness of a district that traditionally had been the victim of stolen identity.
Thirty-four new signs are being installed in the 13towns in the district as part of the council's new Land of Ranges branding campaign.
Signs have already been installed on the Saddle Road, Pahiatua Track and the northern and southern ends of Route 52.
New entry and exit signs will be installed at Norsewood and Eketahuna in summer, and in Woodville following completion of the new State Highway 3.
Town signs will also be placed at entry points to each town.
"This would have been different if our people had chosen this as opposed to having it done to us."
Collis said the younger generation had grown up in Tararua and needed that identity.
"Each of our towns has strong and rich histories and no one is looking to take those away."
She said it was important for people to know who, what and where we were, and she would often include the history in her speeches.
"When we divide our boundaries, we allow our stats to be divided and we don't show up at a national level.
"How is it that we have no social housing in any town in Tararua?
"It is unacceptable, and we are working towards having our stats counted to ensure we are receiving the services we need and locally too."
Collis said when places unique to the district, such as Waihi Falls or Tui Breweries, were referred to as being in the Wairarapa or in the Manawatu, it mattered.
"I am strong on the new road being referred to correctly as it is our time to shine.
"The road and project will put us on the national map and it is our single biggest chance to achieve the recognition that we deserve - Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatu Tararua Highway."
She said the new district branding and signage embraced each town and highlighted a picture of what was iconic to them.
"The Land of Ranges tagline refers our maunga or mountains that encompass us as a district within the Tararua, Ruahine, Puketoi, Ngamoko and Waewepa ranges.
"People will know when they enter and leave our district and what we are most proud of.
"This will help everyone identify our boundaries," Collis said.
MP Kieran McAnulty said Tararua was often overlooked.
"Tararua is a mix of three regions and as a result has struggled to receive the recognition it deserves."
He said when the district was formed, it joined together southern Hawke's Bay with northern Wairarapa and both had strong connections to the Manawatu.
Eketahuna, Woodville, Pahiatua and Pongaroa played in the Wairarapa-Bush rugby competition and were in the Wairarapa phone book.
Norsewood and Dannevirke played in Hawke's Bay and in the 2020 phone book are under Hawke's Bay.
McAnulty said his family were from Eketahuna.
"We associate with Wairarapa, but Eketahuna comes under the Mid-Central DHB. They read the Wairarapa-Times Age."
He said he was very conscious of the confusion and supported the council's bid to raise the district's profile.
He was also trying to do his bit to strengthen the district's identity by acknowledging it every chance he got.
Parliamentary rules, however, prevented him calling himself the MP for Wairarapa, Tararua district and Central Hawke's Bay.
Collis said when Tararua was referred to incorrectly, it created confusion and hurt.
"It takes us a step back and is like chalk on a blackboard to me."
We conducted a poll along High Street in Dannevirke asking the question: If you were asked where Dannevirke was, what would you say?
Vance Alexander
Vance Alexander has lived in Dannevirke since the 1970s and still recalls the days when it was under a borough council.
"Southern Hawke's Bay," was his immediate reply.
"But I suppose it is the Tararua district."
Raewyn Harris
"I used to say Hawke's Bay. Now I say Manawatu," was the response from Raewyn Harris, who would rather shop in Palmerston North than in the Hawke's Bay.
Graham and Karen Cowley
Graham and Karen Cowley were visiting from Wellington and assumed it was part of the Manawatu.
"We don't know much about Dannevirke," they admitted.
Angela Howearth
"We're more Hawke's Bay than the Manawatu," Angela Howearth said.
She did think the Tararua district was from Eketahuna to Dannevirke but felt Tararua was getting lumped in with other regions.