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# Think AT Couldn’t Get Any More Retarded?
- URL: https://goodoil.news/think-at-couldnt-get-any-more-retarded/
- Published: 2026-05-04T21:00:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-04T21:00:46.000Z
- Description: So now they get it that no one wants to ride a train where the destination is in some mythical place called Aotearoa. It’s not like everyone apart from sickly white liberals has been complaining about it for years.
- Author: Kevin
- Tags: NZ Politics, Transport

> *Transport officials weighed up the government’s stance on te reo when deciding against Māori language names for Auckland’s new City Rail Link (CRL) train lines.* 
>  
> *\[…\] Documents obtained by 1News reveal the naming – finalised mid-last year – stretched across three years and five different approaches before narrowing to an eventual showdown between te reo bird names and directional labels.* 
>  
> *The names settled on after extensive debate were: Onehunga West Line (O-W), East West Line (E-W), and the South City Line (S-C).* 
>  
> *Auckland Transport (AT) said potential customer confusion was the main reason for its decision to go with the geographic names.* 

So *now* they get it that no one wants to ride a train where the destination is in some mythical place called Aotearoa. It’s not like everyone apart from sickly white liberals has been complaining about it for years. 

> *A spokesperson for AT said: “The directional line names met customer needs better than other options, including the bird names. This was the key reason for the decision.* 
>  
> *“Although cultural considerations, including the use of te reo Māori, were acknowledged, the overriding priority was customer comprehension and uptake in a newly integrated network where new travel patterns and options for travel will be implemented.”* 

To be fair though I did kind of like “Tūī” as one of the names, as in: 

‘Hey, all the trains are working today!’

– *Tūī.*

‘Yes, that one too!’ 

> *\[…\] The final set of te reo names considered included the Mātātā line replacing the Eastern and Western lines, which will become known as the East-West line.* 
>  
> *Meanwhile, the South-City line was picked over the Tūī line, which replaces the Southern line. The Hīhī line would have replaced the Onehunga line. Naming a line after the kuaka was also kept as an alternative option if others were deemed unworkable.* 
>  
> *But directional names were seen as lower risk, keeping within timing requirements and needing less customer education, though internal documents noted reputational risk of a “missed opportunity” and public scrutiny.* 

D’uh. 

> *The three new rail lines will carry geographic names and two-letter codes.* 
>  
> *AT said the letter codes – “E-W” for East-West, “O-W” for Onehunga-West, and “S-C” for South-City – will be prominently displayed on maps and station signage.* 
>  
> *Transport officials considered a range of naming options.* 
>  
> *\[…\] The decision was finalised by the CRL’s programme control group, made up of executives and senior managers who oversee all works involved to launch services.* 

But wait, the comedy hasn’t ended yet. 

> *Shorthand abbreviations for the new lines – “EW”, “OW” and “SC” – were changed after an urgent memo last June raised concerns they could be misinterpreted and subject to “backlash or mockery” from customers and media.* 
>  
> *“Specifically, EW could be interpreted as ‘ew’ (gross) and OW as ‘ow’ (ouch),” it read.* 
>  
> *“Internal feedback and advice from external consultants have raised concerns … We seek your expert assessment on the risks associated with each option of customer or media backlash or mockery.”* 

Bwahaha! OW! My sides! 

So now all AT is concerned about is being mocked. It’s not like they were ever concerned about small businesses going under because of parking spaces being replaced with bike lanes. 

> *\[…\] Transport officials had sought out advice on naming the train lines and also carried out panels and focus group research into what Aucklanders thought of the choices.*

Of course I can’t end this without a reminder of where your tax money is going. 

> *Naming research cost a total of $18,736 – comprising $11,035 in capitalised time and $7700 in participant recruitment – according to AT.*

Please feel free to put Auckland Transport jokes in the comments. 

Source: [https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/02/fears-of-backlash-and-mockery-played-into-new-auckland-rail-line-names/](https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/05/02/fears-of-backlash-and-mockery-played-into-new-auckland-rail-line-names/?ref=goodoil.news)