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Proposing Undersea Feature Names

NZGB deadline for proposing names has passed

The deadline for making proposals to assign, alter, approve or discontinue names for the meeting on 16 September 2009 has passed. A new deadline will be posted once a date for the following NZGB meeting has been finalised.

The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB) can assign, alter, discontinue or approve names for undersea features within the continental shelf of New Zealand and over the continental shelf of the Ross Dependency of Antarctica. Note that there are different requirements for proposing other types of names.

On this page:

  1. What undersea features can be named?
  2. How the NZGB considers proposals
  3. How to make a proposal
  4. Privacy

What undersea features can be named?

The NZGB can name undersea natural features such as:

  • seamounts
  • shoals
  • trenches
  • deeps, or
  • banks.

The NZGB has exclusive jurisdiction to assign undersea names within New Zealand's territorial sea (within 12 nautical miles of the coastline). The NZGB can assign names to undersea features that are outside the territorial sea but within the New Zealand or Ross Sea Region continental shelves in consultation with relevant international naming authorities.

Find out more about:

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How the NZGB considers proposals

Individual countries only have the exclusive right to assign names to undersea features within their territorial sea (for New Zealand this is within 12 nautical miles of our coastline). Before features outside the territorial sea are assigned names and shown on nautical charts or bathymetric maps they are reviewed by a group of international experts. The review is carried out by the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) Sub-Committee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN).

Proposals are considered following a defined process. The general process of a successful proposal for undersea features is:

  1. the person/group making the proposal undertakes research and consultation, then fills in a proposal form
  2. proposal received by the NZGB secretariat
  3. research, investigation and validation by the secretariat, plus consultation - if required
  4. the NZGB and/or its undersea feature naming committee considers the proposal and weighs it against the naming rules (NZGBS60000 – Interim standard for undersea feature names)
  5. if supported, the NZGB makes the final determination
  6. the official undersea feature name is published in the NZ Gazette, is publicly notified, and is entered into the New Zealand Gazetteer of Official Geographic Names
  7. the official undersea feature name submitted to GEBCO-SCUFN for consideration.

Note: no public notification occurs for undersea feature name proposals beyond New Zealand's 12 nautical mile territory.

Download a detailed flow-chart of the process for naming undersea features (pdf 132KB).

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How to make a proposal

Use the following steps to help you prepare your proposal.

1. Check for existing names and recent decisions

All current official names are listed in the New Zealand Gazetteer of Official Geographic Names. You should check this list to determine whether your proposed feature or place already has an official name. Many features also have unofficial names - get help finding names.

Check the details of proposals that are currently and have recently been considered by the NZGB in consultation and decisions.

2. Fill in the proposal form

All proposals must be made on the official proposal form, which you can download and print. Use the RTF version if you would like to open in a word processor first. Use the PDF version if you would like to print the form first.

The Te Reo Māori version of the above forms, online proposals and submissions are not available at this stage.

3. Provide supporting documentation

Provide as much information as possible to explain and support your proposed name.

It is especially important to clearly and unambiguously identify the location and extent of the feature or place that you are proposing a name for. This is best achieved by identifying the feature or place on a map with a defined scale. If possible, use of a LINZ hydrographic chart is preferred. It is also important to include a coordinate or grid reference of the feature (get help understanding datums and projections.)

You also need to explain why your proposed name should be adopted for the particular feature or place. Useful information to provide could include documentary evidence of the history, origin, meaning and significance of both the name and feature. Note that the NZGB has certain rules around what features can be named, and what or who they can be named after, these are defined in NZGBS60000 Interim standard for undersea feature names. Your proposed name should either comply with these requirements or you will need to explain why they do not apply for your particular proposal - find out more about the NZGB's naming rules, criteria, standards, guidelines and policies. Other information such as research material, photographs and references can also be useful to the NZGB.

4. Consultation

Consultation is not mandatory prior to proposing a name, but it is encouraged by the NZGB. If you consult other people or groups about your proposal, be sure to include any documentary evidence of their support or views. Oral evidence or histories may also be important, particularly for Māori place names.

Groups that you may wish to consult with may include:

5. Send proposal to the NZGB

Post or email proposals to the address in contact the NZGB. Note that proposals and supporting material provided to the NZGB will not be returned.

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Privacy

Once the NZGB has received a proposal it becomes a public record. If the NZGB publishes information about the proposal, it will generally omit names of private individuals to protect their privacy. However, the NZGB may be required to release all information including all correspondence under the Official Information Act 1982 or other legislation.

 
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