Place With Longest Name in the World In New Zealand

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Place With Longest Name in the World In New Zealand
Place With Longest Name in the World In New Zealand

Africa-PressLiberia. Taumata­whakatangihanga­koauau­o­tamatea­turi­pukaka­piki­maunga­horo­nuku­pokai­whenua­ki­tana­tahu is a hill near Porangahau, south of Waipukurau in southern Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

According to details, the height of the hill is 305 metres. Pronouncing this name is very complicated, however, locals are experts at pronouncing it. Porangahau School teacher aid and kapa haka teacher Maymorn Hynes said she had lived in Porangahau for most of her life.

The town name is almost a story in a word, Hynes said. It comes from the story of Tamatea, who was a well known chief and explorer. He was passing through the district of Porangahau when he got into a battle, in which his brother was killed.

Tamatea was so grief-stricken at this loss he stayed for some time at that place and each morning he would sit on the knoll to play a lament on his Koauau, a Māori flute.

The name is translated from the sentence “hence the name indicating the hill on which Tamatea, the chief of great physical stature and renown, played a lament on his flute to the memory of his brother.”

A new sign was erected 10 years ago to try to make the area more prominent and Hynes said she thought it was important to showcase. “I think knowing where you are from, where you belong – specific things about where you are from – are always important.”

She had taught students at the school a song so they too could learn how to pronounce the name. There were many different versions of the song, but this was one a local had written.

“It’s easier to learn in song form.”

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