A group of locals from the Waikato town of Huntly are trying it renamed to its original Maori title of Rāhui Pōkeka.
Huntly’s name was changed from Rāhui Pōkeka, after the first postmaster James Henry arrived in town, information from Waikato’s Coalfield Museum shows. The story goes that either Henry himself, or his boss the Postmaster General, did not like Rāhui Pōkeka, so they called it Huntly instead.
Iwi social service provider Waahi Whaanui trust support the local’s application, chair Huirama Matatahi said. Matatahi said the name Rāhui Pōkeka relates to the story of Te Putu, a pre-kīngitanga chief. Te Putu lived in the Taupiri area, and was a caretaker of the stretch of river and land from the fringes of Ngāruawāhia to Rangiriri. By declairing a rāhui (ban) over the land and water he protected the fish stocks – allowing the fish to be enjoyed by future generations.
Matatahi said reclaiming Rāhui Pōkeka is about reclaiming pride in the town.
