Auckland's Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson has thrown her weight behind calls to change the city's anniversary date.
On Monday September 18, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei celebrated the gifting of 3000 acres of land to Governor Hobson in 1840 - calling it Auckland city's true origin story.
Atop Auckland's highest volcano, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei commemorated what the hapū calls Auckland's true origin story.
"We have the birth of Auckland here," said Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei cultural advisor Joe Pihema.
The hapū's public celebrations centre around one man - Āpihai Te Kawau.
A 'paramount chief' of the Ngāti Whātua iwi of Auckland, Te Kawau gifted 3000 acres of land to Governor William Hobson 183 years ago on September 18.
It's what the hapū calls the first step towards partnership on the Waitematā.
"We've got the origins of this new settlement which would become this beautiful city that we know," Pihema said.
Current Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust chair Marama Royal is a direct descendant of Te Kawau.
"I'm proud... I'm happy," she said.
"I think it's a great day of celebration - because the relationsip between the Crown and Ngāti Whātua began right back then."
She says Monday should be the city's official anniversary.
"Because today is the true birth of Tamaki, of Auckland, today. Not the date in January. I actually don't even know why that date is there. So you know - aroha mai."
And she's not alone in wondering why Auckland Anniversary is currently held on January 29.
"Good question! It's always been that day hasn't it for ages and ages and ages," said Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson.
The official Auckland anniversary is held on January 29 or the closest Monday to it - commemorating when Governor Hobson arrived in Russell in the Bay of Islands - more than 200 kilometres away.
When asked if she felt like today is a more significant reason to have Auckland Anniversary Day than the current January day, Simpson replied: "I do actually."
"Look, as I said - we wouldn't have Auckland if it wasn't for those initial 3000 acres," Simpson said.
A conversation starter that could change how Auckland understands its history for generations.
