A proposal can be made online, or you can download and complete a hard copy form.
Propose an undersea feature name
Before you start filling in the proposal form, please read the Standard for undersea feature names to make sure that your proposal meets good naming practice.
Standard for undersea feature names
You can make a proposal to:
- Give a new name to an undersea feature that is not currently named (see the New Zealand Gazetteer).
- Change or correct an existing undersea feature name. This could be a complete change or a correction to the existing name or its location. If a feature no longer exists, you can also propose that the name be removed.
Research and consultation
There are many sources to help with research, for example, NIWA, GNS Science, academic articles and journals, public libraries, old charts and maps, manuscripts, oral histories, the internet etc. See Researching place names for research sources.
We encourage you to consult with the iwi/hapū/marae closest to the feature and any other interested parties.
Consulting with Māori when making a place name proposal
It is important that you attach evidence of your consultation.
About the proposal form
When you complete a proposal form, this is the information that we will need from you.
Your contact details
Please provide your name and how we can get in touch with you.
What do you want to propose?
Tick the appropriate box and add the undersea feature name you are proposing. If there is an existing name for the undersea feature, please add it.
What type of undersea feature is it?
What type of feature is being named, for example, a seamount, canyon, basin. See New Zealand Geographic Features for images and descriptions of undersea feature types.
New Zealand Geographic Features
What are the reasons for your proposal?
This should indicate the importance of naming the feature from the perspective of science, discovery, commemorating events, honouring people with a connection to the feature, etc.
What geometry best describes the feature?
Indicate what geometry best describes the feature. For example, a reef is usually a point, an escarpment a line, and a seamount a polygon.
What are the feature’s coordinates (latitude and longitude)?
Please provide the coordinates (preferably in decimal degrees) for a point, coordinates (to and from) for a line, and all necessary coordinates for a polygon.
Please describe the feature
Please provide details about the depth, shape and dimension/size of the feature.
What are the associated features, if any?
Add information about other undersea features in the area that are connected physically or by naming theme, events, etc.
Please provide information about the discovery of the feature and the survey data
Add the date the undersea feature was discovered, who discovered or mapped it, and details of any publications that include references to the feature and/or name. Also provide details of the survey that discovered the feature and information about the survey data.
Supporting information
Please provide as much information as possible to explain and support your proposal. Please complete the checklist of supporting information to indicate what you have included with your proposal.