Local Landmarks officially renamed Te Nikau Pā
A local landmark has reclaimed its original name, with Clevedon Scenic Reserve formally and officially renamed Te Nikau Pā at a ceremony held on 29 June 2026.
The event, attended by representatives of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Franklin Local Board, Clevedon School and several local community groups, marked the end of a six-year process led by Auckland Council in partnership with local iwi, restoring a name that speakers said has belonged to the whenua for hundreds of years.
Auckland Council's Dawn Bardsley told the gathering that Māori names for places across the region have "always been here but have been pushed to one side." She said the renaming process had been a significant learning experience, and stressed the importance of people learning the stories behind these places and how to pronounce their names correctly.
Bardsley shared some striking figures: when Council's renaming process began, only around 4 percent of parks across Tāmaki Makaurau had Māori names. That figure has now risen to more than 20 percent. She said most people she had encountered were genuinely interested in learning te reo Māori and understanding the cultural history behind local places, and thanked the Franklin Local Board for standing firmly behind the project throughout the process.
The stories behind the name
Representatives of local mana whenua Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Zaelene Maxwell-Butler and Rev Butler, shared the story of the name Te Nikau Pā and reflected on how tūpuna (ancestors) chose places for the resources they offered, drawing comparisons with other named pā sites such as Te Tōtara Pā and Kauri Pā. Zaelene explained the significance of the nīkau palm to the area's original inhabitants. This native palm was utilised in all its parts; its bowl-like base used for carrying water and its leaves woven into walls and roofing.
The site was also a strategic stronghold, offering commanding views across the isthmus that walkers can still enjoy today by ascending to the top of Te Nikau Pā via two well-formed paths.
Zaelene also shared the history of the base of the maunga, where today Camp Sladdin's buildings stand, once an important carving site where different types of waka were formed before being floated on the adjacent Taitaia Stream and onwards to the Wairoa River and out into the harbour.
Zaelene reflected that resources once gathered from the surrounding landscape included kauri gum, used both as a chewing resin and as tattoo ink, and berries from the karaka tree, which fattened native birds ahead of hunting season and were also valued for their oil. She said much of this traditional knowledge and many of these resources have since been lost. She described the renaming as a way to "bridge the gap of misunderstanding" and support ongoing efforts to restore the ancient name to the whenua, thanking Clevedon School for having kept the name in use over many years. She urged the community to "protect the landscape and the identity bound up in the land."
With the renaming now complete, Te Nikau Pā stands as the reserve's official and only name. Visitors are encouraged to use the QR codes installed on site to learn the pronunciation and stories behind the name, and community groups including the Scouts and The Clevedon Association say they intend to keep sharing that history with locals and visitors alike.
Representing Scouts Aotearoa, Mike Smith said the former name, Clevedon Scenic Reserve, "didn't pay homage to the area." He said the group wants to share the history of the place with visitors so they understand its significance and treat it with respect, and encouraged tamariki to look after the site.
Martin Grant, speaking on behalf of The Clevedon Association, said the group's goal is a strong, connected community, and described the renaming as important mahi for bringing people together.
Chair of the Franklin Local Board, Alan Cole, thanked the iwi partners for their work and said he was looking forward to further collaboration. He confirmed the renaming was significant to iwi, and that it was important for the new name to be adopted as the sole, formal name for the reserve going forward.
Join us in loving Clevedon
The Clevedon Association is at the heart of many of the initiatives that make our village such a special place to live, work and visit. We are building a strong connected community where people and businesses thrive and we need your help.
