Mana whenua name for South Dunedin library revealed
Mana whenua have given South Dunedin's new library complex a name reflecting the area's historic links to traditional knowledge.
The building complex, which houses the new South Dunedin Library, will be called Te Whata o Kaituna.
In a report for next week's civic affairs committee meeting, Dunedin City Council (DCC) acting corporate policy manager Nadia Wesley-Smith said the name referenced the area's former abundance in mahika kai (traditional food gathering and the places it occurs).
In the past, South Dunedin was an estuary "abundant with shellfish, fish, birds and other wildlife".
Whata describes an elevated structure used to store kai.
"[The name] recognises traditional knowledge systems used in cultural practices, and today, the knowledge held within the library structure for the community to access," Ms Wesley-Smith said.
At December's Te Pae Māori meeting, the council and mana whenua partnership forum, mana whenua formally gifted the name to the South Dunedin library and community complex.
At March's meeting, it was proposed the building complex be named Te Whata o Kaituna, and the library housed within have a separate name.
"The naming of the building demonstrates the application of Te Taki Haruru [the council's Māori strategic framework], the expression of the DCC's commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi," she said.
Artwork on the library's outside depicted tuna (eels), acknowledging the history and culture of South Dunedin, Ms Wesley-Smith said.
"There has been some discussion in the community around the option of naming the building after a previous Dunedin City councillor and library advocate, however both staff and mana whenua have since engaged with the family who have confirmed they do not wish for the building to be named thus. "
In November, councillors voted 6-4 to lease the upper floor of the complex at commercial rates, rather than reserve some space for community organisations at a cheaper rental, a decision which outraged the organisations.
A notice of motion from Cr Carmen Houlahan to overturn the decision was lost 7-5 in April.
At Tuesday's infrastructure services committee, property services group manager Anna Nilsen said an opening date for the complex had not been confirmed.
It had been expected to open by mid-year, but the project was forecast to run into September, Ms Nilsen said.
"We're just trying to see if we can speed that programme up and gain any ground between now and then." — APL
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