Annual Report 2020/21 of the New Zealand Geographic Board

Place names are integral to knowing and communicating where we are on the landscape. They give context to space and help us to navigate from one place to another. Knowing the stories behind them strengthens our identity, connection and belonging – particularly for Māori place names. Place names identify our place in the world, our home. They can revive or add to our knowledge of the heritage and events that occurred at a place, giving meaning, whether metaphorical, descriptive, practical, or based on a theme.