23 October 2015

Offensive place names in the firing line

Three offensive place names in North Canterbury may soon be replaced under proposals being considered by the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB).

Public views are being sought on proposals to replace the existing unofficial recorded names ‘Niggerhead’, ‘Nigger Hill’ and ‘Nigger Stream’.

“The proposals – from a member of the public – are based on these names being in poor taste, offensive, discriminatory and derogatory,” says NZGB Secretary Wendy Shaw.

“Under the proposals, ‘Niggerhead’ and ‘Nigger Hill’ would become ‘Tawhai Hill’ and ‘Kānuka Hills’ respectively – named after native trees – and ‘Nigger Stream’ would become ‘Steelhead Stream’ after the local trout species.

“On 23 September the NZGB agreed to three months’ consultation to give the public an opportunity to have their say on the name changes being proposed.”

Public consultation will run for three months, from 29 October 2015 to 29 January 2016. Anyone can make a submission in support of, or objecting to, these proposals. Details of these proposals will be available on the LINZ website from 29 October.

From 29 October submissions can be made in writing to the Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board, via the LINZ website, to nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz, or via post to: Level 7, Radio New Zealand House, 155 The Terrace, PO Box 5501, Wellington 6145.

Visit the LINZ website for information about general place naming and the NZGB.

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