Moose Lake Place Name Proposal Report

On this page:

• 27 March 2009 Place Name Proposal Report
• 16 September 2009 Place Name Proposal Report

You can read the Moose Lake Place Name Proposal Report (PDF 1.85MB).

27 March 2009 Place Name Proposal Report

• Moose Lake - new name
• Fiordland National Park

General Background

The submitter is seeking to assign a new place name for a small lake located in Herrick Creek, a tributary of Wet Jacket Arm, in Fiordland National Park. The name is proposed as it is a significant site in New Zealand moose history, having initially been the site of the successful release of moose in 1910; and later, the recorded capture of moose, until 1934 when hunting for wild animals under licence ceased. The submitter suggests that, on the basis of DNA evidence uncovered, a herd of moose continue to exist in the area around Herrick Creek.

The lake is a feature of Fiordland National Park, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation. Consideration may be given to preserving the wilderness characteristics by not assigning a name. However, the feature may warrant naming for emergency services. Note, that it is very small and may not even be published on future mapping.

The submitter advises in his letter dated 16 May 2008 that he has copied his correspondence for a place name proposal to the Southland Department of Conservation for consultation; however, no supporting documentary evidence is provided by the department. Ngāi Tahu is yet to advise whether any original Māori names exist for the feature.

There are two other geographical features with the name ‘Moose’; however, duplication is not likely to be an issue as neither are in the vicinity of this proposal.

Duplication:

Topographic and cadastral maps have not shown a name for this lake:

Early survey plans do not show a name for this lake:

This feature may warrant naming for emergency services, however it is very small and may not even be published on future mapping.

16 September 2009 Place Name Proposal Report

• Moose Lake - new name
• Fiordland National Park

General Background

At the Board’s previous meeting of 27 March 2009, the following considerations were discussed:

• the proposer is held in some regard within the ‘wilderness/guiding/tourism/deer stalking’ community of this remote part of the country;
• the Board member representing Federated Mountain Clubs advised that Robin Boyd, another guide, was supportive of the proposal;
• the lake is locally known as Moose Lake by deerstalkers;
• the size of the lake is relatively small, like many other unnamed lakes in the area, but it is distinctive and contained within the surrounding geography;
• the lake falls within conservation estate – the Fiordland National Park and also within a designated wilderness area, where the Board has criteria that allows it to refrain from assigning new names, in order to preserve the wilderness characteristics of that area;
• the area is known to be where the lost tribe of Ngāti Mamoe inhabited during the 17th century; and
• there could be an original Māori name for the lake.

Therefore the Board agreed to defer its decision on this proposal in order to consult and seek the views of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, on whether an original Māori name exists for this lake. Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu have been asked to provide any further views or information relating to a possible original Māori name for this lake. In particular the Board is interested in:

• whether an original/traditional Māori name exists for this lake;
• if one does exists then confirmation of its spelling and whether macrons apply;
• what is its meaning;
• what is the history associated with its naming;
• does Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu support its restoration; and
• any other relevant information that can be provided.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has yet to respond (as at early August 2009), but if a response is received in time for the meeting on 16 September 2009, then it will be provided to the Board.

The Department of Conservation has also been asked to comment, and any response from them will also be provided to the Board.

Map

A printable version of this map is available in the Moose Lake Place Name Proposal Report (PDF 1.85MB).