9 November 2020
Media: Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Bilingual road signage and related regulations
Enquiry
Just working on a story following on from the comments in yesterday's committee meeting re bilingual entrance signage to Rotorua.
Could you please get Gina (or the most relevant person) to expand a little more on what that entranceway signage would be and what she meant more specifically by this comment/expand on it:
"their regulations need to be updated to allow for high quality te reo Māori signage. Some of their standard accepted translations are not high quality or they're not accurate, and then in other places they don't allow any translations at all"
ie. can you just explain what you mean by 'high quality' and examples of translations that aren't accurate?
Reporter subsequently sent the following:
Just providing the response I've received from Waka Kotahi NZTA on this issue in case it is useful for the council's response:
Waka Kotahi spokesperson:
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency respects and values the importance of Te Reo Māori as one of our country's official languages, and we are working with local councils to incorporate bilingual road signage, while achieving safety outcomes.
The current regulations permit guide signs, tourist signs and general interest signs to have bilingual destinations if approved by the New Zealand Geographic Board. The issues in question in Rotorua specifically relate to the signs identified needing to serve as an effective and legally enforceable speed limit sign. The layout and content of traffic signs (traffic control devices) in New Zealand is governed by legislation (Traffic Control Devices Rule) and is further described in the traffic control devices manual (TCD Manual). What is permitted on road signs is quite limited in terms of wording and symbols.
Speed limit signs have both a safety and regulatory function and it is important that the format of any signs does not compromise or invalidate these functions.
We have worked with Rotorua Lakes Council to implement a paired approach to speed limit threshold signs, with the Te Reo Māori version of the speed threshold sign installed on one side of the road and the legally complying English version on the other side. This format and bilingual message has also been adopted in other locations.
Beyond road traffic signs there are other options for providing Te Reo Māori in public spaces on road sides. Working with councils it has become evident that often the initial concept for using a road traffic sign generally isn't the best in which to display or promote Te Reo Māori Billboard format signs that don't look like traffic signs are potentially far more useful given they can be larger in size and less restrictive rules in terms of layout.
Waka Kotahi recognises the interest in supporting and valuing Te Reo Māori as an official language of New Zealand and we are keen to consider how we represent Te Reo Māori in the work we do.
Waka Kotahi is exploring how to build its capability and the evidence base for introducing bilingual transport signage in the short term by researching:
What are the likely impacts of bilingual signage on road safety?
What can we learn from international experiences with introducing bilingual signage?
What words and phrases could be used and, how might national consistency fit with appropriate local expression?
What are the best mechanisms for using and representing Te Reo Māori on road side infrastructure and in road safety messaging?
We will then work with the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and the wider sector to develop and deliver a sector wide outcome. This may require an amendment to the current TCD Rule.
Response
The following comment and information was provided:
We suggested the reporter might also be interested in seeking comment re bilingual signage from Te Tatau o Te Arawa as lead for the ReoRua kaupapa and having been involved in getting the bilingual entranceway signage in Rotorua
From Rotorua Lakes Council Manahautū Māori Gina Rangi:
In 2018 Rotorua Lakes Council went through a period of negotiation and discussions with Waka Kotahi in order to have entrance signage updated to include te reo Māori.
The process highlighted that Waka Kotahi regulations do not allow for Maori language as a recognised, standard option for common signs, including entranceway signage. Another example is that Kura Kaupapa Māori are unable to use Māori language signs for their traffic patrols as the regulations require that they must use English.
Regarding translations: An example is the phrase Haere Mai' (sometimes seen on district welcome signs) which is more accurately translated as come here'. A more accurate translation for Welcome' is Nau Mai', which features on Rotorua's entrance signage but was initially rejected by Waka Kotahi.
Council has provided feedback to the agency regarding these matters and will continue to lobby for change, and work on increasing bilingual signage as opportunities arise.
For your information/interest/background:
Rotorua celebrated the installation of the first bilingual signage on State Highway 30 in 2018 - see here
You'll find more about ReoRua HERE on Te Tatau's website
Further clarification provided following request from reporter seeking clarity about the key issue regarding current state highway signage regulations:
Waka Kotahi initially rejected the use of Nau Mai' for the Rotorua entranceway sign at Hemo.
Bilingual signage on state highways is by exception under current regulations - there is no standard permission for bilingual signs.
It took some months of negotiations and discussions to get approval for the bilingual sign that was unveiled at Hemo in September 2018.