Proposed honour for the late Stuart Macaskill

The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB) has today opened public consultation on a proposal to name two Upper Hutt storage lakes in honour of esteemed local body representative, the late Stuart Macaskill.

Although not officially named, the lakes – at the Te Marua Water Plant – are commonly referred to as Twin Lakes, Te Marua Lakes, and Stuart Macaskill Lakes. The proposal is to officially name them ‘Macaskill Lakes’.

“The proposal – from Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) – seeks to recognise the late Stuart Macaskill, who was instrumental in the development of the lakes,” says NZGB Secretary Wendy Shaw.

“Mr Macaskill was a driving force behind the concept and construction of the lakes – from 1980-1987 – and played a key role in promoting them as an alternative and supplementary drinking water supply for Wellington, Porirua, Hutt and Upper Hutt Cities.

“As well as honouring Mr Macaskill, the proposal seeks to dispel confusion by removing the various informal names for the lakes in favour of one enduring official name – ‘Macaskill Lakes’ – which would then be depicted on topographical mapping.”

In preparing its proposal GWRC consulted with local iwi. The Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust (PNBST) – representing Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika – Rāngitane ki Wairarapa, and Taranaki Whānui ki Waiwhetu, each support the name.

Public consultation will be open for three months, from 28 May-28 August. Anyone can make a submission either in support of, or objecting to, this proposal.

Submissions can be made in writing to the Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board, via the online forms, or to nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz, or via post to: Level 7, Radio New Zealand House, 155 The Terrace, PO Box 5501, Wellington 6145.

Visit the LINZ website for information about this name, general place naming and the New Zealand Geographic Board.

ENDS

© Scoop Media