What 'Te Puni' Means
What's in a name?
Professor Walsh says the name Te Puni was chosen because its meaning was significant to the complex. "The name is derived from two elements quite commonly found within Māori culture and society, including 'Puni' which means a company of persons, in this case a company of students, and 'whare puni', a principal guest house of a kainga or village. Out of all the University buildings that students will visit during the course of their day, Te Puni Village will, no doubt, prove to be the most important."
The name also refers to the Rangatira Honiana Te Puni who ensured British settlers in the Port Nicholson region were sheltered and protected; hence, the name Te Puni has come to mean providing shelter, hospitality and accommodation to students of all nations.