Mountain to be renamed at iwi behest

A row over the name of a prominent Whangarei mountain looks likely to continue despite a Government decision backing local Maori.

Land Information Minister Pete Hodgson yesterday approved a request by the local iwi to correct the spelling of Parahaki mountain to Parihaka mountain.

The decision follows two years of heated debate over the issue, with many non-Maori opposing the call by kaumatua Te Ihi Tito, who asked the Whangarei District Council in 2003 to correct the name.

Mr Tito said the mountain was the site of numerous battles and Parihaka, which translated to "cliff haka", referred to the many haka performed in the conflicts.

The council supported the change and called for public submissions before referring the matter to the Geographic Board.

Mr Hodgson said he was satisfied after reading all submissions that Parihaka was the original name.

Whangarei-based Act MP Muriel Newman, who has been a staunch opponent of the move, labelled the decision political correctness gone mad. Dr Newman said there was no proof to support iwi claims and disputed their interpretation of Parihaka.

"There is no evidence in early land and survey maps, historical record or Maori Land Court documents to back up their claim."

She said 94 per cent of the 2500 people who responded to an informal referendum she held on the matter opposed it.

"The overwhelming majority of residents did not want this name change ... yet the whim of a small minority of Maori over rose the majority."

Mr Tito said he was humbled by the decision, which brought to an end the frustration for his iwi.

But he was disappointed with the flurry his request had created and believed much of it was driven by Dr Newman's political manipulation.