A proposal to change the name of a district or region requires the relevant council to make a formal resolution consenting to or requesting this change. A council may propose the change itself or agree to a proposal being made from someone else.
To make a proposal, download the proposal form:
Before you start filling in the proposal form, please read the Standard for altering Region and District names to make sure that your proposal meets good naming practice.
We can only consider proposals to change existing region and district names. This could be a complete change or a correction to the existing region or district name.
If you want to propose changes to boundaries, or to add or remove a district or region name, you will need to contact the Local Government Commission.
Research and consultation
District and region names typically reflect a significant place or feature within the area. There are many sources to help with research, such as public libraries, old maps, manuscripts, oral histories, iwi/Māori or the internet. See our page on researching place names for research sources:
We encourage you to consult with the appropriate iwi, hapū and marae, local communities, councils, and any other interested parties.
Consulting with Māori when making a place name proposal
The proposal form
Refer to our minimum requirements policy and guideline for making a proposal
Minimum requirements for geographic name proposals
Your contact details
Please provide your name and how we can get in touch with you.
What do you want to propose?
Tick the applicable box and add the changed name you are proposing.
Provide the existing official region or district name as listed in Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act 2002.
Include any informal or trading names used by the council.
Location
- Describe the general location of the district or region. The exact boundaries don’t need to be described as only the name can be changed.
- Show the district or region’s boundaries on a map. Digital boundaries are available from Stats NZ’s Datafinder.
- Provide the coordinates of a central reference point within the district or region.
Māori or non-Māori name
- If you are proposing a Māori name, provide a translation or the meaning of the name and information about the story, legend or event associated with the name. Also provide evidence from a Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission) licensed translator of the name’s correct orthography (macrons, spelling etc).
- If it is a non-Māori name, provide evidence of, or references to, the sources you have consulted. Check whether an original Māori name exists or is in common use for the general area of the region or district.
- Provide references to any other sources that you have used.
Origin
- Describe who or what the proposed district or region name is named for or about.
- Outline the history, tradition or background of the proposed name.
- Tell us whether the proposed name is already used locally. If so, for how long?
Name duplication
Provide details of any other places in New Zealand with the same name. You can search the New Zealand Gazetteer for duplicated place names:
The Board may not accept a name that already exists in a neighbouring region or district, or a name commonly used throughout New Zealand.
Other supporting information
Provide as much information as possible to explain and support your proposal.
Consultation with other councils
Provide documents that show your consultation with other relevant councils.
Date of the meeting that the council resolved to the proposed region or district name
Provide the date of the meeting when the council made its resolution and a copy of the meeting minutes.