South Wairarapa District Council is delighted to reveal the name of its first ever Māori ward and
extends its deep appreciation to Papawai Marae for the gifting of the name to the district.
The name of the new Māori ward is Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui, which translates to The Eye of the Fish
of Māui.
“We are deeply appreciative to Papawai Marae for gifting us this beautiful name,” says the council
Pou Māori Advisor, Narida Hooper.
The name refers to Wairarapa Moana, the most significant natural landmark in the South Wairarapa
and is symbolic as the eyes (and ears) for tangata Māori in South Wairarapa at Council, says Papawai
Marae chairperson Herewini Ammunson.

Māori Standing Committee chair Andrea Rutene describes Wairarapa Moana as the jewel in the
crown for Wairarapa iwi. “It also has international importance and recognition as a Ramsar site.”
Councillor Rebecca Gray extended her gratitude to the Māori Standing Committee for the work it
has done, in collaboration with Papawai Marae, towards the gifting of the new Māori ward name.
“It is a very beautiful name that is very closely tied to this place and feels like a gift. I want to extend
a huge thank you for that,” says Councillor Gray.
Councillors Pip Maynard, Kaye McAulay and Mayor Martin Connelly all reiterated that the name for
the new Māori ward is a beautiful one.
Mayor Martin Connelly said that New Zealand had a history of naming places in a very prosaic
fashion and that this name was a refreshing change to this.
“It is refreshing to have a name that pays homage to the place in a poetic style and it brings great
credit to our district to have our first Māori ward being called Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui,” said Mayor
Connelly.
The new Māori ward name was gifted to the council as part of its Final Proposal for representation
arrangements for the 2025 and 2028 local elections. More information about this process is
published on the council’s website at: swdc.govt.nz/notices-and-updates