Our place names: The Maniapoto story

Place names tell us where we are and where we might want to go. On maps they help us find our way around. But place names are also important landmarks of the history, culture and identity of our nation and the communities within it.

Māori place names tell stories of creation, ancestors, explorers and notable events. They also describe landscape features and identify resources. In this way, place names record history and define relationships between people and the land.

Travel online on a LEARNZ Virtual Field Trip to ​​Maniapoto King Country in Te Ika-a-Māui North Island to:

• discover the stories and reasons behind Ngāti Maniapoto place naming throughout this area with Shane Te Ruki (member of Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa NZ Geographic Board)
• explore the connection of people to special places and environments, such as local awa and maunga
• inquire into how place names represent the story of settlement by a range of people in Aotearoa New Zealand
• consider the importance of place names and their stories being handed down, retained, and restored
• inquire into the significance and stories behind place names in your own rohe
• see how the digital NZ Gazetteer of Place Names can be used
• find out about the NZ Geographic Board’s new maps of the North and South Islands showing Māori place names (all NZ schools will be sent copies) plus the Board’s Maori Oral History Atlas.

All the field trip material including videos, a Google Earth for Web tour, background material and online quizzes will be available from 15 May 2023.

Sign up now to get additional support and resources, and connect with field trip experts in our live web conferences. 

Only available on sign-up at https://www.learnz.org.nz/placenames231