The highest unnamed peak in Central Otago should be called after the native falcon, rather than a three-legged cooking pot, the Central Otago District Council has recommended.
Debate about the name for the 2307m peak, 30km from Cromwell, has raged for almost three years, and the Minister for Land Information, Maurice Williamson, has the final say.
The New Zealand Geographic Board has recommended the name Te Kohua, after the three-legged cooking pot Ngai Tahu chief Reko was given for guiding Otago farmer Nathanael Chalmers through the Nevis Valley in 1853.
After considering submissions from the public, the board re-confirmed in July its preference for Te Kohua, in the face of strong opposition. It recommended Mr Williamson confirm, reject or modify the name.
Last month, Mr Williamson said he wanted an "official" submission from the district council before making his decision.
"Having carefully considered the [geographic] board's report and related material, I have identified gaps in the information from submitters that would be helpful to me in making my determination," he told the council.
Mr Williamson asked for the council's preferred choice and what mandate it had for that option.
The council emailed 1100 people who were in its business, tourism and community services directory, inviting them to air their views on the topic.
The survey results, tabled at yesterday's council meeting, showed 278 people responded.
The majority supported the name Nevis Peak (108 people) or Karearea, after the native falcon (94 people). Te Kohua gained the support of only 28. Councillors noted that there was already a Ben Nevis peak in the area.
Cr Gordon Stewart successfully moved the council promote the name Karearea. The native falcon was found in the area, was "a Central Otago icon" and was part of the council's World of Difference symbol, he said.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper said he believed Mr Williamson only had one choice: to confirm or reject the name Te Kohua. If he rejected the name, it would be "back to the drawing board".
