Ngā Taonga Tuku Iho: The legacy of our Māori names

The bilingual names for each of the Libraries in our network were created as result of the extensive signage project undertaken by the librarys marketing team.

With the support and approval of Ngāi Tahu through Te Waka Reo, their language unit, our Kaumatua, Dr Terry Ryan, and the extensive research undertaken by NekenekeiteRangi Paul, each library within our network has been honoured with a Māori name. These new names reflect the nature of the building, its location and the community it serves. The unique bilingual names chosen for each of our libraries are names we can be proud of and they will forever be part of Christchurch City Libraries.

But why have Bilingual signs? Bilingual names are an important component of the cultural aspect of language. Place names, personal names and common names often fulfill the functions of transmitting history, traditions, events and values, and they do not necessarily require an in-depth knowledge of the language in order to be of use. The power of bilingual names as a symbol of identity serves to reinforce the dual nature of our heritage and our two formally recognised languages, English and Māori.

The stories behind each of the names have been printed into a booklet which can be found at each library. The booklet contains photos of the existing libraries alongside the stories.

Translated Meanings

Ko te Kete Wānanga o Papa Kōhatu - Bishopdale Library

Land of Rocks

Ko te Kete Wānanga o Ōtākaro - Central Library

Place of play

Te Kete Wānanga o Waimairi - Fendalton Library

Listless water

Te Kete Wānanga o Otamatua - Halswell Library

Spur between Hoon Hay and Kennedy's Bush

Te Kete Wānanga o Te Urumanu - Hornby Library

Birds feather

Te Kete Wānanga o Ihutai - Linwood Library

Head of the tide

Te Kete Wānanga o Karoro - New Brighton Library

Seagull

Te Kete Wānanga o Papanui - Papanui Library

Large, flat land

Te Kete Wānanga o Waitikiri - Parklands Library

Muddy Water

Te Kete Wānanga o Te Kōpare o Iho - Redwood Library

The Heart of the tree

Te Kete Wānanga o Oraka - Shirley Library

Life

Te Kete Wānanga o Wai Mōkihi - South Library

Traditional watercraft

Pūtahi Akoranga - South Learning Centre

Learning together

Te Kete Wānanga o Ōpāwaho - Spreydon Library

Outpost

Te Kete Wānanga o Kōhua - Sumner Library

iron pot for steam cooking