It is helpful for addresses to follow conventions that promote consistency across the country. For example, urban addresses on the left side of a road are often numbered 1, 3, 5... while addresses on the right are numbered 2, 4, 6. Rural numbering is usually based on distance down a road.
However numbers are allocated, addresses should follow a scheme that ensures properties can be readily and unambiguously identified and located.
Note
You can search for all regulatory documents using the Resources search (filter by 'Regulatory document').
The Addressing Standard
The Addressing Standard (AS/NZS 4819:2011) is made for use by territorial authorities and can be bought from Standards New Zealand. It covers:
- assigning addresses
- naming roads
- recording and mapping information
- signage.
The standard is designed to keep addresses as simple as possible so that they can be easily understood by anyone who is trying to find a property.
The current standard replaced a 2003 standard. We were involved in creating it as part of a working group for the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping (ICSM).
Buy the Standard for Rural and Urban Addressing (AS/NZS 4819:2011)
In-fill addressing guidelines
The Office of the Surveyor-General has drafted guidelines to help territorial authorities allocate addresses for in-fill developments.
Retirement village addressing guildines
This guideline has been created to help territorial authorities and retirement village developers assign addresses in retirement villages.