No say for public as councillors rename Boyes park to Hinemoa after 103 years

Monday, 8 June 2026

More than a century after Hamilton residents named a park in honour of George Boyes, councillors have voted to remove it.

Hamilton City Council has agreed to rename Boyes Park as Hinemoa Park, recognising an important Waikato tupuna while ending 103 years of public recognition for the man credited with helping shape much of the city's park system.

There is already another green space across the road bearing the name.

Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor was dead set against that happening without public consultation but was overruled by fellow councillors by a majority vote of 7 to 5.

While he acknowledged the name change has support from Boyes’ descendants, he suggested that 103 years of history should not be changed without public input.

“My amendment is not opposing the proposed name change. I am just suggesting we at least run it by the community.’’

It was also pointed out during the debate that the park, between Rostrevor St and Norton Rd, was not named by the Boyes family but the people of Hamilton.

Other councillors also pointed out George Boyes played a significant role in developing Hamilton’s park system and town belt and that residents deserved the opportunity to have their say.

Andrew Bydder agreed, saying the council should be “adding to history’’ rather than removing names, especially given there was nothing controversial about Boyes.

Robbie Neha agreed consultation was important, noting it was a “shame’’ there was no consultation with Mana Whenua 103 year ago.

Maria Huata in an emotional speech pointed out the area had more than 103 years of history.

“We talk 100 years of history. There are hundreds of years of history for Māori and the original peoples of this land,” she said.

Huata also noted mana whenua had followed the proper process for the proposal and praised the Boyes family for supporting it.

Council staff said the request, from Ngaati Wairere, originated from mana whenua engagement during planning for a new playground and park improvements.

Staff told councillors the change was consistent with council policy and aligned with the city’s commitment to recognising Māori history and identity.

Importantly, descendants of George Boyes “were really supportive’’ and also mentioned that they thought it have would be something that George Boyes himself would have supported.

Ngaati Wairere spokesperson Carolyn Hopa told councillors the proposal had the potential to strengthen relationships within the community.

“It’s an opportunity for us to be able to bring our communities closer together,” she said.

She said discussions with descendants of George Boyes had been positive and highlighted connections between the Boyes family and local Māori history.

Hinemoa was an important tupuna, or ancestor, and descends from Maahanga, the eponymous ancestor of Ngaati Maahanga, through both her mother and father. Her whakapapa reflects the interwoven kinship networks and chiefly alliances that shaped leadership, mana, and relationships within Waikato iwi.

The decision means there will technically be two Hinemoa Parks in Hamilton, as there is already a Hinemoa Park on the other side of Rostrevor St, adjacent to Boyes Park.

Boyes was a Hamilton Borough Councillor in 1921, secretary of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and president of the Real Estate Institute, as well as the first secretary of the Hamilton Beautifying Society and secretary of the Hamilton Domain Board.

As Andrew Bydder says, Boyes was “not some character like (Waikato Wars participants) Bryce or a von Tempsky, responsible for heinous acts.’’

Councillors were told Boyes’ contributions to Hamilton, which included establishing the city’s green belt, would continue to be recognised through story boards in the park.