Ross Scott told a Waitangi Tribunal hearing in Hastings in 2006 that the name needed to be protected from inappropriate use “or used with our express authority, to ensure we retain any benefit that is available”, which would benefit the whole of the Porangahau area.
Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Alex Walker says there have been long-running issues, in which the council recognises the mana of the site and the Scott whānau as “the hapū-endorsed kaitiaki of The Longest Place Name, the land-owners and the holders of its licensed trademark”.
“For many years the kaitiaki have been clear on their aspirations to tell the full story of their tīpuna, the place, and its name, and as part of this journey are planning to install a new sign on their property this weekend,” she said. “Council fully supports this project and the intent behind it.”
She said the kaitiaki (guardians) have also expressed their desire to see the sign removed in the New Year as they provide more opportunities for the community and visitors to interact with this very special place in a more meaningful way.
“We are excited to see what their new signage and plans look like and will continue to work alongside them as the conversations continue,” she said.
The name is sometimes compared with the 58-lettered Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, a town on the isle of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, which gets around the issue of not having the longest name in the World by proclaiming to have the longest name for a “settlement”, while also having the longest name in Europe and the UK.
It too is known by shortened names - Llanfairpwll or Llanfair PG.
