Nau Mai Town

Join Justine Murray as she takes us on a haerenga around Aotearoa to learn about Māori place names and the stories of where they came from.

Hosted by Justine Murray

The title of the programme "Nau Mai Town" in the style of iconic New Zealand road signs

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Kurow

Season 1 / Episode 1
If you say it out loud, the word Kurow sounds a lot like Te Kohurau. That's because the latter is the original name of a small South Canterbury town named after a tupuna (ancestor).
"Kurow" and "Te Kohurau" in the style of iconic New Zealand road signs

Paraparaumu

Season 1 / Episode 2
Paraparaumu is a beautiful town on the Kāpiti Coast so why would you want to call the town 'Pram'? Justine Murray finds out the story behind the name.
"Paraparaumu" in the style of iconic New Zealand road sign.

Tolaga Bay

Season 1 / Episode 3
There was a mix-up of words when James Cook came up with the name 'Tolaga' for the small east coast town of Tolaga Bay, but the locals choose to call it Uawa.
"Tolaga Bay" and "Uawa" in the style of iconic New Zealand road signs.

Rotorua

Season 1 / Episode 4
Such was the respect that Māori explorer Ihenga had for his uncle and father-in-law Kahumatamomoe, he named two lakes in his honour. That's just part of the story behind the name Rotorua.
"Rotorua" in the style of iconic New Zealand road sign.

Tauriko

Season 1 / Episode 5
A once-thriving sawmilling industry on the outskirts of Tauranga would inspire the naming of the Tauranga suburb 'Tauriko'. Listen now.
"Tauriko" in the style of iconic New Zealand road sign.

Introducing: Nau Mai Town

Trailer
Ever wondered about the stories behind some of our place names? Justine Murray finds out more from those who live in heartland Aotearoa.
The title of the programme "Nau Mai Town" in the style of iconic New Zealand road signs

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