Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Longest name for a place

From the beautiful mountain slopes of the inland Ruahine Ranges to vast sandy beaches and trout-laden rivers, Central Hawke's Bay has it all. It's a holiday haven for the whole family. No matter what time of year you visit, there is plenty to see and do, with a long list of events to ensure you see everything Central Hawke’s Bay has to offer. And when it’s time to relax, local restaurants and cafes tempt you with the freshest locally-grown produce and the region's famous wines.

Even more amazing is that in Porangahau, 55km southeast of Waipukurau is the home of the longest place name in the world. The name is Taumata-whaka-tangihanga-koauau-o-Tamatea-turi-pukaka-pikimaunga-pokai-whenua-kitana-tahu. Consist of 85 letters, it has been listed in Guinness Book of Records as the longest officially recognised place name in the world. However, the locals usually just call it Taumata for ease of conversation.

It is given by the local Maori people, Ngati Kere to a hill to celebrate the eponymous ancestor Tamatea Pokai Whenua. Tamatea was a famous chief and warrior of his time. His son Kahungunu was the founder of the Ngati Kahungunu tribe which extends from Gisborne to Cape Palliser. Tamatea acquired his long name through different happenings in his life. Turipukaka-pikimaunga-tahu was given through his many raids and wanderings and he was such a huge muscular man that his name suited him.

It appears that while travelling through the back of Porangahau, Tamatea encountered the Ngati-Hine tribe and had to fight them to get past. The battle is known as the Matanui battle and during that fight his brother was killed. Tamatea was so grieved over the loss of his brother that he stayed for quite along time at that place and each morning he would sit on the knoll and play his lament on what is called the Koauau or Maori flute. Hence the name Taumata-whaka-tangihanga-koauau-o-Tamatea-turi-pukaka-pikimaunga-pokai-whenua-kitana-tahu, which means "The hilltop, where Tamatea with big knees, conqueror of mountains, eater of land, traveller over land and sea, played his koauau to his beloved". Only one word to describe this place, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Source : www.centralhawkesbay.co.nz

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