NZGB notices – May 2026

Assigned and altered geographic feature names, assigned Crown protected area names, and discontinued Crown protected area names

Gazetted on 18 May 2026

Notice of new, altered and confirmed geographic names, new Crown protected area names and discontinued Crown protected area names for Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Act 2026

The names in Schedules 1 to 3 became official on the settlement date, 9 April 2026.

For Schedule 4, note that Hikurangi Scenic Reserve was discontinued under the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Act 2026 and Maniapoto Claims Settlement Act 2022 and Tahorapāroa Scenic Reserve was discontinued under the Ngāti Hāua Claims Settlement Act 2026 and Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Act 2025. 

Schedule 1
New or altered official geographic nameDescriptionFormer geographic name
Kōkiri a KoinakiA cliff on the right bank of the Whanganui River approximately 34km southwest of Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BH32 722688.Man-of-War Bluff (recorded name)
MatahāneaA locality approximately 4km northeast of Matapuna, Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BG33 034955.Echolands (recorded name)
Ōheao StreamA stream that flows generally southwards for approximately 50km from 29km west of Taumarunui into Tāngarākau River, southeast of Whangamōmona. NZTopo50-BH32 670935 to BH32 618611.Heao Stream (official name)
Ōngaaruhe RiverA river that flows for approximately 80km from Pureora (hill) northwest of Lake Taupō / Taupōmoana westwards then southwards into Whanganui River at Taumarunui.  NZTopo50-BG35 296296 to BH33 954928.Ongarue River (recorded name)
Rere TārukeA locality approximately 23km west-northwest of Waimarino. NZTopo50-BH33 846676.Retaruke (recorded name)
Te Awa o Rere TārukeA river that flows from Erua Forest southwest of Waimarino generally northwestwards for 50km into Whanganui River at Whakahoro. NZTopo50-BJ33 009518 to BH32 790692.Retaruke River (recorded name)
Te KerikeriA maunga at 500m approximately 11km west of Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BH33 845924.Port Arthur (local use name)
Te Niho o te KioreA locality approximately 21km northwest of Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BG32 773052.Nihoniho (recorded name)
WaitaangataA locality approximately 36km west-northwest of Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BG32 597003.Waitaanga (recorded name)
Waitaangata StreamA stream that flows for approximately 30km generally southwards from south of Tawhitiraupeka (hill) into Tāngarākau River. NZTopo50-BG32 614051 to BH32 624932.Waitaanga Stream (recorded name)
Schedule 2
Confirmed official geographic nameDescriptionFormer New Zealand Gazette (making the name official)
ŌhuraA locality approximately 24km west-northwest of Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BG32 720990.New Zealand Gazette, 16 July 2020, Notice No. 2020-ln3118
Ōhura RiverA river that flows for approximately 125km from Tangitu (hill) west of Lake Taupō / Taupōmoana generally southwest then southwards into Whanganui River. NZTopo50-BG33 951203 to BH32 787769.New Zealand Gazette, 16 July 2020, Notice No. 2020-ln3118
ŌwhangoA locality approximately 17km southeast of Taumarunui. NZTopo50-BH34 060806.New Zealand Gazette, 16 July 2020, Notice No. 2020-ln3118
Schedule 3
New official Crown protected area nameGeneric term (purpose of reservation) and description
Mākōura Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve approximately 23km west-northwest of Waimarino. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 849697. Created through reclassification of Neilsons Conservation Area as a scenic reserve.
Tāhere Kākā Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve approximately 15.5km west-northwest of Waimarino. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 913643. Created through reclassification of Kokaka Conservation Area as a scenic reserve.
Tāiki Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve that includes most of the Kakahi Stream catchment, just north of Maraekowhai and approximately 20km southwest of Taumarunui. Centred on NZTopo50-BH32 797794. Created through reclassification of Opatu Conservation Area as a scenic reserve.
Tamakehu Tuarua Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve approximately 8.5km due west of Ōwhango. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 965806. Created through reclassification of Hunua Conservation Area as a scenic reserve.
Te Riu o Te Atua Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve on the right bank of Te Awa o Rere Tāruke, approximately 17km west-southwest of Ōwhango. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 895737. Created through reclassification of Pukeatua Conservation Area as a scenic reserve.
Whakahīrangi Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve just north-northwest of Maraekowhai and approximately 21.5km southwest of Taumarunui. Centred on NZTopo50-BH32 781803. Created through reclassification of Opura Conservation Area as a scenic reserve.
Schedule 4
Discontinued official Crown protected area nameGeneric term (purpose of reservation) and descriptionFormer New Zealand Gazette
Aorangi Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve adjacent to State Highway 43 (Forgotten World Highway), approximately 16km west-southwest of Taumarunui. Centred on NZTopo50-BH32 795901.New Zealand Gazette, 6 November 1958, No. 68, page 1562
Hikurangi Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve approximately 10km north-northeast of Taumarunui. Centred on NZTopo50-BG33 992045. New Zealand Gazette, 1 July 1982, No. 72, page 2026
Kauhangaroa Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve at Retaruke Upper, approximately 11km west-northwest of Waimarino. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 962657.New Zealand Gazette, 9 July 1981, No. 80, page 1920
Kururau Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve adjacent to Kururau Road, approximately 13km west of Taumarunui. Gazetted at NZTopo50-BH33 819924.New Zealand Gazette, 22 May 2009, No. 73, page 1699
Mangaoturu Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve approximately 23km southwest of Taumarunui. Gazetted at NZTopo50-BH33 828744. New Zealand Gazette, 22 May 2009, No. 73, page 1699
Ngataumata Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve adjacent to Oio Road, Rere Tāruke, approximately 21km west-northwest of Waimarino. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 860683.New Zealand Gazette, 22 May 1913, No. 42, page 1660
Oruru Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve on the right back of Te Awa o Rere Tāruke at Rere Tāruke, approximately 24km west-northwest of Waimarino. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 833674. New Zealand Gazette, 15 November 1979, No. 104, page 3309
Sunshine Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve adjacent to Marsack Road, Taumarunui. Gazetted at NZTopo50-BH33 966925.New Zealand Gazette, 22 May 2009, No. 73, page 1699
Tahorapāroa Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve on State Highway 43 (Forgotten World Highway), approximately 15km north-northeast of Whangamōmona. Gazetted at NZTopo50-BH31 559796.New Zealand Gazette, 14 May 2025, Notice No. 2025-ln2127.
Tatu Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve at Tatu, approximately 27km west-southwest of Taumarunui. Centred on NZTopo50-BH32 684894. New Zealand Gazette, 8 March 1984, No. 35, page 657
Waipahihi Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve at the headwater of Waipahihi Stream, approximately 24km south-southwest of Taumarunui. Centred on NZTopo50-BH33 823733. New Zealand Gazette, 15 November 1979, No. 104, page 3309
Whakapapa Island Scenic ReserveA scenic reserve at Whakapapa Island on the left bank of the upper reaches of Whanganui River at Kakahi, approximately 14km southeast of Taumarunui. Gazetted at NZTopo50-BH34 087870.New Zealand Gazette, 22 May 2009, No. 73, page 1699