It's official -- it's "Remutaka Pass".
The unnamed pass that separates the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges was yesterday officially named 'Remutaka Pass', in keeping with the heritage and place-naming traditions of local iwi, says Land Information New Zealand.
The name was proposed by former Masterton Mayor Frank Cody and considered by the New Zealand Geographic Board Nga Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB). It was confirmed by Land Information Minister Louise Upston.
"'Remutaka' is the original Maori name for the feature. It commemorates the edge (remu) of Haunui-a-Nanaia's cape falling to the ground (taka) when he first viewed and named Wairarapa," said NZGB secretary Wendy Shaw.
"The name recognises its historic significance to mana whenua, and the pass's traditional use by Maori to pass from the Hutt Valley to the Wairarapa."
