Left:
When we are asking ourselves if the name Hamilton should be reverted to its Māori name Kirikiriroa, we need to think about what it represents and who is affected by it most. Yes, the city under the name of Hamilton has a lot of history, and the name has become ingrained in our everyday use. However, that history reflected by the name is not always positive. The name comes from Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton who was a British naval officer and was killed in a battle in Tauranga. While I cannot speak for Māori voices, many people have expressed the desire to stop the glorification of John Hamilton. In 2020, the statue in Garden Place of the officer was removed after protests from both local residents and a formal request from Waikato-Tainui Iwi. Aotearoa is home of tangata whenua, colonisation brought destruction of language and occupation of land. Reverting to the te reo place name for major cities will honour those who belong to this land. To some people, Hamilton may seem like just a name, but to others, it reflects centuries of oppression over a colonial government. If we revert the name, not only are we paying retribution for injustice performed in the past but reflecting how we look forward into the future.
Right:
Hamilton is one of few major cities in New Zealand, it has a reputable name and holds a strong voice in this country. The city has proudly carried the name Hamilton for over a century, and people around the country – and world – recognise it as such. To replace its name is not a simple act of renaming; it is to rewrite a core part of its identity and history. Hamilton was named after Captain John Fane Charlse Hamilton who died in the Battle of Gate Pā in Tauranga. The city was given its name by Colonel William moule who was an important figure in Hamilton’s development and governance. Revoking the name now, after so many generations, would downplay the historical significance of these figures and the events that shaped Aotearoa’s early colonial period.
Māori culture and heritage are deeply woven into the fabric of modern Hamilton and can – and should – continue to be celebrated through other meaningful avenues. It’s no secret that Captain Hamilton’s legacy includes harmful impacts on tangata whenua, and acknowledging those trusts is essential. However, recognising history doesn’t mean erasing it entirely. Preserving the name Hamilton does not diminish the value or importance of Kirikiriroa – it allows both names and narratives to coexist. In fact, using Hamilton as the official name while embracing Kirikiriroa in cultural and community context may serve as a bridge between identities rather than a barrier. Furthermore, changing every sign, document, and map would require considerable expenses and effort. Beyond costs, renaming alone is unlikely to strengthen the bonds of the community or resolve deeper issues of understanding and respect.
