Key Takeaways
- The Bay of Plenty region was in need of a nickname for its residents
- Suggestions included Boppies, Bayites, Bopites, Papamoaites, and Former Aucklanders
- The options were narrowed down to "Steamers" and "Boppers" with the help of MP Tom Rutherford’s mum, Sharon Nightingale
- Terry Leaming, aka Hori BOP, was chosen to make the final decision and selected "Boppers" as the winning nickname
- The decision was based on the need for a generic term that catered to all areas of the Bay of Plenty
Introduction to the Nickname Search
The search for a nickname for the residents of the Bay of Plenty region was a fun and light-hearted exercise that brought the community together. MP Tom Rutherford, with the help of his mum Sharon Nightingale, a Tauranga resident since the 90s, took on the task of finding the perfect nickname. The process involved filtering through various suggestions, including Boppies, Bayites, Bopites, Papamoaites, and Former Aucklanders, before narrowing it down to the final two options: "Steamers" and "Boppers". This exercise was a welcome break from the more serious topics that Rutherford typically deals with as a politician.
The Decision-Making Process
Rutherford and his mum had a great time going through the suggestions and filtering out the ones that didn’t quite fit. Nightingale was brutally honest with her opinions, and Rutherford appreciated her straightforward approach. She noted that "Boppers" had a certain energy to it, and people would likely associate with "Steamers", given the region’s strong connection to the Bay of Plenty rugby union team. However, it was ultimately up to Terry Leaming, aka Hori BOP, to make the final decision. Leaming, a self-proclaimed Steamers fanatic, was chosen for his "good looks and high intelligence", and it only took him half a pie to make up his mind.
The Winning Nickname: Boppers
Leaming’s decision to choose "Boppers" over "Steamers" may have come as a surprise to some, given his love for the regional rugby team. However, he explained that "The Steamers is basically associated with the Bay of Plenty rugby union team, so that’s just very specific." He believed that the region needed a generic term that would cater to all areas of the Bay of Plenty, rather than just one specific aspect of the community. Rutherford was shocked by Leaming’s decision, but ultimately agreed that "Boppers" was the logical choice. The nickname "Boppers" is now set to become the official term for residents of the Bay of Plenty region, and it will be interesting to see how the community responds to its new moniker.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The search for a nickname for the Bay of Plenty region was a fun and engaging process that brought the community together. The final decision to choose "Boppers" as the winning nickname was based on the need for a generic term that would cater to all areas of the region. As the community begins to adopt the new nickname, it will be interesting to see how it is received and how it will be used in the future. The "Boppers" nickname has the potential to become a source of pride and identity for the region, and it will be exciting to see how it is used to promote the Bay of Plenty and its residents. Overall, the search for a nickname was a positive and uplifting experience that has brought the community closer together and given them a sense of identity and belonging.