Hamilton City Council's Community Committee has approved te reo Māori names for new parks in Rototuna and Rotokauri as part of the council's commitment that 'te reo Māori is seen, heard and celebrated throughout the city'.
The council says te reo Māori names chosen for a new pocket park and a future sports park reflect the rich history and cultural significance of the whenua (land).
Tuna Kai is the name of the small pocket park on Tenille St, in Rototuna in recognition of the traditional food source in the area.
Whakapakari, meaning 'to enhance, to strengthen, to endure', has been gifted as the name of a 6.4ha future sports park on Rotokauri Road.
Partnership with local iwi and mana whenua informed key decision making around the new names, the council says in a statement.