Approving unofficial place names

Thousands of place names throughout New Zealand are not official, even though most have been shown on maps and charts for many years. Making place names official is important as it means there is one agreed and correct name for a place. This is especially important for identifying where you are in an emergency and to recognise New Zealand’s unique culture and heritage.

Update July 2023

In 2023 we altered the programme that began in 2020 because the number of recorded (unofficial) place names was too high for some iwi to process. We decided to focus on processing recorded (unofficial) Māori place names first, adding macrons where appropriate and giving mana whenua more time to respond if needed. We will continue to approve recorded Māori names as official, as long as they meet the criteria below.

Approval programme

A recorded (unofficial) place name is one that has been used in at least two publications or databases that we have agreed are authoritative.

We use the approval process to make recorded (unofficial) Māori place names official when:

1. there is no other name for that place or feature on a map or chart, or in a database that we consider to be authoritative, and
2. there is no other Māori name for that place or feature as advised by mana whenua, and
3. we consider it unlikely that the public would object.

Our programme for this approval process is divided into regions meaning hundreds of recorded (unofficial) Māori place names will be made official at a time. We will process the non-Māori recorded place names later. However, we want to prioritise getting the recorded Māori place names right first.

Consultation

The approval process doesn’t require public consultation. However, we will consult with councils and the relevant mana whenua in each region. We will also get expert advice from a licensed te reo Māori translator about the standard conventions for writing Māori place names, for example, spelling and macron use.

Following our initial contact by phone we will provide each regional council, the local councils and mana whenua in a region with:

• an interactive map, GIS files and/or excel files for their jurisdiction/rohe, showing all recorded (unofficial) Māori place names (this excludes place names that are already official)
• advice from a licensed te reo Māori translator on the spelling of the names
• the timeframe for a response, which will be between three to six months depending on the volume of names
• our reasons for making recorded (unofficial) Māori place names official.

Councils and mana whenua are asked to provide us with:

• any concerns, such as incorrect spelling, or other known names for the places or features
• any history, origin or meaning they can provide.

Councils and mana whenua should respond with any issues within the set timeframe. If there is no response, we will make the recorded (unofficial) Māori place names official unless an extension is requested.

If we are made aware of issues with any recorded (unofficial) Māori place name during processing, it will be removed from the approval process and remain as a recorded (unofficial) Māori place name.

If we are subsequently advised of an error after approving a recorded Māori place name as official it can be resolved by a corrigendum (correcting gazette notice). This may include adding or removing macrons or reverting back to a recorded (unofficial) name.

If we are subsequently advised of an objection after approving a recorded Māori place name as official, a full proposal can be made to the Board under sections 16-21 of the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 2008, which includes public consultation. See proposing a place name. This may include where people want a different name to the approved official Māori place name, whether a spelling correction or outright change.

We expect that each region will be completed within six months to a year.

Corrections to official Māori place names

As part of the programme, we will review the existing official Māori place names to ensure they are consistent with any newly approved names that have macrons.

If a Māori place name made official through this process needs to be corrected in respect of macrons, we can publish an amendment in the New Zealand Gazette or a formal proposal can be made (not by us), which we would publicly consult on.

Spelling changes to any place name, whether recorded or official, will require a proposal that goes through public consultation. These cannot be processed through this programme.

Proposing a place name

Number of recorded (unofficial) Māori place names for each council

Please note that the numbers of recorded (unofficial) Māori place names for each council may be amended from time to time as they are made official or more names are added.

Approved place names for councils to date