The Māori name of Waipapa Taumata Rau, meaning place of many peaks, has been gifted to the University of Auckland by Ngāti Whātua Orākei, a Māori hapū based in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The University Council officially accepted the Māori name of the University during their March 15th meeting.
Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater announced they are co-creating a new Waipapa framework in the University’s new vision and strategic plan, Taumata Teitei.
The plan states that the University’s fundamental Te Ao Māori principles of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga reflect their foundational relationship with tangata whenua and commitment to Te Tiriti.
The Vice-Chancellor’s report states that the University’s Executive Committee will implement the Māori name change across all University activities and are “considering how best to implement the name change for the University to best reflect the sentiment of the name change.
Communications and Marketing are also working in partnership with the PVC Māori office to introduce the gifting of a new Te Reo name to the University.
“This allows us to reset the narrative, tell an engaging story and enhance the mana and distinctiveness of the University.”
