Petone or Pito-one? NZ Geographic Board considers name change

One origin of the name is that a certain area on the beach was known for burying the 'pito' or umbilical cords in the 'one' or the sandy part of the beach.
One origin of the name is that a certain area on the beach was known for burying the 'pito' or umbilical cords in the 'one' or the sandy part of the beach. Photo credit: RNZ / Soumya Bhamidipati.

The New Zealand Geographic Board is today considering a name change for the Lower Hutt suburb Petone to Pito One.

The area was once a pā of local iwi Te Āti Awa but the traditional name was misspelt during colonial settlement.

One origin of the name is that a certain area on the beach was known for burying the 'pito' or umbilical cords in the 'one' or the sandy part of the beach. Hence the name 'Pito-One'.

Another is that it translates to the 'pito' or end point of the 'one', the beach.

Last year, Hutt City Council voted to support a change back to the traditional name and sent an application to the New Zealand Geographic Board.

The board, Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa, is New Zealand's place naming authority.

Board secretary Wendy Shaw said the board would consider the proposal and decide whether it would go out for public consultation.

The board would announce any proposal, including any decision to move to public consultation, in a month's time to allow time to notify key stakeholders, she said.

RNZ