Extra letter ends street's bad spell

For years, residents of Kaka Street in Tokoroa have been deep in it.

Now they are flying high after the South Waikato District Council backed a call from Maori for a spelling correction.

The council has agreed to add macrons - symbols used to indicate long vowels - to street names in Maori after objections by local iwi highlighted the offensiveness of some past errors.

Kaka St topped the list submitted by the Raukawa Maori Trust Board of 23 street names incorrectly spelt.

Trust board education manager and Maori language teacher Chris Mckenzie said the council's failure to add macrons or use double vowels to make the word "Kaakaa" created a word that was "completely inappropriate" as a street name.

"It means shit street. It is 10 metres away from the town's only kura kaupapa. We drive past it every day, and my kids crack up every time they see it. I knew it was wrong, and it was time it was changed."

Mr Mckenzie said there was little doubt those who named the street intended it to reflect the native parrot, the kaakaa.

"All streets around it are named after native birds - Kereru, Kahu and Huia - and then in the middle is kaka."

The street was one of several expected to be corrected after positive discussions with the local council, he said.

"This is one of 23 streets spelt incorrectly in the area. It is the first one to be changed. Kaka just didn't fly."

Mr Mckenzie applauded the willingness shown by the council, and challenged other regions to follow the example.

The error occurs in many towns and cities, including Otahuhu, Whangarei, Hamilton, Masterton, Northcote and Tauranga.

South Waikato Mayor Neil Sinclair said Maori was an official language, and it was important correct spelling was used.

"I think it is part of our past arrogant Pakeha way, we thought we would spell things without consulting Maori. If I put up a French name I would make quite sure we spelt it properly.

"For us to be told we are one of the first councils to be doing it is amazing.

He did not expect the changes to cost much. Street signs would be corrected initially, and maps and other documentation would be amended when replaced.

Maori Language Commission chief executive Haami Piripi welcomed the change. He said kaka meant excrement in Maori, and would not be used as a street name.

"If kaka is spelt without a double vowel or a macron then it is a spelling mistake."

Kaka did have other meanings - such as garment or flutter - but it was unlikely they were words that would be used as a street names.