A Z service station in Ahuriri, Napier, has been officially renamed. The site, formerly known as ‘Z Kennedy Road’, has been gifted a new name by Ngāti Pārau and will now be called ‘Z Mataruahou’.
Joe Tareha, Chairman of Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust, said that the hapū’s engagement with Z marked an important step in their journey of whakawhanaungatanga—strengthening their relationship.
“It acknowledges the mana of the whenua and its story while also setting a precedent for meaningful collaboration and recognition moving forward.”
Mataruahou is the traditional name for Napier Hill, which means “a new face found” or “a new reflection from a hole in the ground.”
Tim Bailey, Head of Retail at Z Energy Limited, said collaborating with mana whenua is essential.
“It’s part of a broader commitment to Te Ao Māori and reflects our clearer understanding of the historical context in the areas where we operate.”
Over the past two and a half years, Z has been working with iwi and hapū in communities as part of a review of the names of its existing sites nationwide.
Andy Baird, Z Energy’s Customer General Manager, said the initiative began when the company’s cultural advisor raised concerns about the ‘Z-K Drive’ abbreviation in Hamilton.
This prompted Hamilton’s Kahikatea, Te Papanui, and Tuhikaramea service stations, as well as New Plymouth’s Huatoki station, to adopt new names last year.
The names for each site were given by their local hapū, with thoughtful respect for the land’s history.
“It ensures we can carry out this work with care, consideration and integrity. We’re incredibly grateful for their leadership, support, and generosity on our Te Ao Māori journey,” Bailey said.