Pronouncing our place names
Correct spelling and pronunciation helps keep important stories behind place names alive. The posters below cover some commonly mispronounced place names in our District, and shows you how to say them correctly. Master the vowel sounds and the rest will follow.
Something to remember is 'r' is commonly called a ‘rolled’ r. If you’re able to imitate the purring sound of a cat, you’ll know exactly what’s required to pronounce this consoonant. Failing this, the sound you should aim for is something similar to an English ‘d’ – but softer e.g. judder.
Check out this website for more pronunciation tips and sounds(external link).
Download the pronunciation guides
Learn more about the make-up of our region
Appleby is the country district around the lower Waimea River about five kilometres outside Richmond.
Belgrove is the last settlement before heading south on State Highway 6 over Spooner’s Range.
The extension of the railway from Tadmor to Glenhope in 1912 brought life to this country district located 41 kilometres from Murchison.
Golden Downs has been a centre of forestry since the late 1920s.
Gowanbridge is farming country dominated by large holdings and is best known as the gateway to Lake Rotoroa.
Mangarākau is a remote settlement south of the Whanganui Inlet on the northwestern edge of Tasman District.
The rural district of Onekaka is north of Takaka on the Onekaka Road.
St Arnaud is part of the Lakes-Murchison Ward and gateway to Nelson Lakes National Park.
Tasman village is a scenic, serene spot between on the coast between Motueka and Māpua.
Tōtaranui is the northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park coastal track, about an hour’s drive from Tākaka on an unsealed road or two hours by boat from Mārahau at the other end of the track.
Upper Moutere is a small rural community with an attractive setting on the rolling Moutere Hills, with views of Mt Arthur from some sites.
