The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa today opened consultation on proposals to alter three New Zealand place names.

Between now and 24 August 2018, the NZGB is seeking public submissions on:
• altering Poverty Bay, the bay south of Gisborne where Captain Cook first arrived in New Zealand, to a dual name Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay.
• altering Gladstone, the recorded name of a small village at the southeast corner of Lake Hāwea in Central Otago, to John Creek.
• altering Johns Creek, a stream flowing from Breast Peak in Cental Otago, into Lake Hāwea, to John Creek.

“The proposal to alter Poverty Bay to a dual name was put forward by Gisborne District Council and would place the traditionalMāori name alongside the existing English name on all official maps, charts and other official documents,” says NZGB Secretary Wendy Shaw.

“Tūranganui-a-Kiwa is typically referred to as ‘the great standing place of Kiwa’. Poverty Bay was given by Captain Cook when he landed there in 1769 and was unable to re-supply his ship.”

The NZGB also made official four place names proposed last year, which did not receive objections:
• Featherston, the name of a small town in the South Wairarapa District.
• Willis Peak, a 1962m high peak at the south end of Craigieburn Range, named after Paul Willis.
Pikikirunga Hill and Pikikirunga Range corrected from Pikikiruna Hill and Pikikiruna Range, near Takaka.
Other decisions
In addition, 359 Antarctic and 88 undersea names have become official. Corrections and improvements have made to one name in New Zealand, and 42 Antarctic and undersea names.
Visit the LINZ website for information about the names for consultation, general place naming and the New Zealand Geographic Board.
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