Correctly pronouncing Māori place names is a simple way we can all acknowledge the mana of te reo Māori. In time for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) has reached a major milestone with over 10,000 audio clips of Māori place names now available in the New Zealand Gazetteer.
This achievement, reached earlier this month, reflects a commitment to making te reo Māori more accessible and supporting its everyday use across Aotearoa New Zealand. And for the NZGB it’s also about pronunciation and spelling to reflect the correct meaning.
The NZ Gazetteer is an online resource listing more than 54,000 official and unofficial place names. These audio clips give us the chance to hear and learn correct pronunciation - from Ahipara, Ngongotahā, and Taumarunui in the North Island to Kaikōura and Wānaka in the South Island.
The voice behind this work is Ms Te Haumihiata Mason, who grew up in Ruatoki and has devoted much of her life to the Māori language. ‘Correctly pronouncing place names pays courteous regard to place and story, to the language and culture of those who named them, and their descendants,’ she says.
NZGB Chairperson and Surveyor-General Anselm Haanen says the milestone honours a team effort that blends language expertise and technology.
‘Reaching 10,000 Māori place names is testament to the dedication and expertise behind this work which started in 2022. It reflects our commitment to making pronunciation guidance accessible for everyone. These audio clips support the revitalisation of te reo Māori and ensure the stories of our place names endure.’
Search and hear Māori place names:
About Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board
The Board is New Zealand’s national authority for official geographic naming. It maintains the New Zealand Gazetteer, which provides authoritative information for maps, charts and location services.
Media contact
Email: media@linz.govt.nz