Pronounce and understand Māori place names with the new fourth edition of A.W. Reed's classic guide to meanings and origins of names across New Zealand. From Ahaura to Whitianga, this handily sized book is the definitive guide to the most common and notable Māori names in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Included are maps on the inside covers showing principal names, and reproductions of the illustrations from the 1950 edition of the book by renowned artist James Berry.

Popular interest in New Zealand's place names is as strong as ever and Place Names of New Zealand remains unchallenged as the one-stop reference. First published in 1975 and updated over three editions since, it: * *contains alphabetical entries for over 10,000 places in New Zealand; *explains the origin and meaning of the place names (including competing versions); *locates places by regions and indicates distances from nearest major localities; *incorporates place names in both Maori and English, and gives the original Maori names for many places renamed during the colonial period; *is updated to incorporate latest official names; *includes an appendix of over 2000 superseded place names. Place Names of New Zealand, prepared with both locals and visitors in mind, is a user-friendly reference work that no library, home, marae or office in New Zealand should be without.

"The aim of this book is to show how our pakeha place names are linked with our history. It is not intended to be a dictionary of all the place names of New Zealand ... Purely descriptive names whose origins are obvious have been ignored unless circumstances connected with the giving of the name made their inclusion desirable"--Jacket.

This book presents research on geographical naming on land and sea from a wide range of standpoints on: theory and concepts, case studies and education. Space and place naming or toponymy has a long tradition in the sciences and a renewed critical interest in geography and allied disciplines including the humanities. Place: location and cartographical aspects, etymology and geo-histories so salient in past studies, are now being enhanced from a range of radical perspectives, especially in a globalizing, standardizing world with Googlization and the consequent ‘normalization’ of place names, perceptions and images worldwide including those for marketing purposes. Nonetheless, there are conflicting and contesting voices. The interdisciplinary research is enhanced with authors from regional, national and international toponymy-related institutions and organizations including the UNGEGN, IGU, ICA and so forth.

Maori History and Place Names of Hawke's Bay is a well-regarded regional history made available once more in this new edition. It represents a valuable study of Maori culture and a permanent record of people and place names in the Hawke's Bay that have always been known – but not always located – since early times. In the late 1940s J.D.H. Buchanan began studying, collecting and recording local traditions, conversations with district elders, family genealogies, early survey maps and Maori Land Court proceedings in the Hawke's Bay area. Following his death in 1961, Buchanan's notes were edited by David Simmons. Beginning form the moment Maori arrived in the area on the Takitimu, the book traces the history of local iwi including Ngati Kahungungu, Rangitane and Ngati Awa. Also featured are meticulous plans of pa sites, aerial photographs of the countryside, and a comprehensive gazetteer of place names.

There is no populated place without a name, and every name is chosen for a reason. This fascinating dictionary unveils the etymological roots and history of thousands of locations and landmarks from around the world. It contains over 11,000 entries, and covers an enormous range of country, region, island, city, town, mountain and river names from across the world, as well as the name in the local language. Place names are continually changing, and new names are adopted for many different reasons such as invasion, revolution, and decolonization. The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names includes selected former names, and, where appropriate, some historical detail to explain the transition. The names of places often offer a real insight into the places themselves, revealing religious and cultural traditions, the migration of peoples, the ebb and flow of armies, the presence of explorers, local languages, industrial developments and topography. Superstition and legend can also play a part. This new edition has been updated to include over 750 new names, including Azincourt, Kropyvnyts'kyy , and Tlaxcala. It has also been edited to reflect socio-political and geographical shifts, notably the reorganisation of the French regions, and their consequent name alterations, as well as the decommunization of Ukrainian place-names. In addition to the entries themselves, the dictionary includes two appendices: a glossary of foreign word elements which appear in place-names and their meanings, and a list of personalities and leaders from all over the world who have influenced the naming of places.

Have you ever wondered how the town you live in got its name? Why Bulls and not 'Sheep' or 'Dogs'? Is Raglan named after a style of sleeve? Why name a river after dog dung? Most New Zealanders have no idea where the name of the town they live in came from. This book tells the tales behind some of the most intriguing place names in this country. Written in an accessible and interesting style, this STYLISH LITTLe book is entertaining as well as educational, and provides glimpses into the history of New Zealand through the eyes of those people tasked with naming our suburbs, towns, cities and landmarks. Illustrations consist of modern and historical photographs of signage that features the names of the towns.