NZGB notices – May 2026

Approved and discontinued geographic feature names, assigned Antarctic names, adopted, altered, approved, discontinued and amended undersea feature names, assigned and altered geographic feature names, assigned Crown protected area names, and discontinued Crown protected area names

Gazetted on 27 May 2026

Gazetted on 18 May 2026

Notice of approved geographic and undersea feature names

First Schedule
Approved official geographic nameGeographic feature typeNZTopo50 grid reference
Bofors PointPointBA31 492258
Brickbat BayBayBA31 491256
Catalina BayBayBA31 493269
Clark PointPointBA31 478274
Harrier PointPointBA31 492271
Limeburners BayBayBA31 472255
Nimrod InletInletBA31 490259
Orion PointPointBA31 491261
Scott PointPointBA31 490255
Second Schedule
Approved official undersea feature nameUndersea feature typeLatitude, longitude
Terāwhiti SillSill-41.3302, 174.5136

Notice of discontinued official and recorded geographic names

First Schedule
Discontinued official geographic nameFormer geographic feature typeFormer New Zealand Gazette
Amokura Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Bartletts Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Buller Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Clarence Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Edgecumbe Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Goose Bay Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Houhou Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Hundalee Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Ida Valley Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Kahika Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Kairua Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Kaitaratahi Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Kopuawhara Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Kowhai Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Mahuta Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Mangapehi Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Mangaroa Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Moumahaki Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Opoutama Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Parikawa Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Parnassus Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Punganui Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Rakautara Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Rangikura Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Tapuata Railway SidingRailway Line29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Te Awa Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Tironui Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Turangarere Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Waiongana Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Waitewhena Railway SidingRailway Line29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Wharanui Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Whitecliffs Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
Maraetaha Railway StationRailway Station31 March 1949, No. 22, page 858
Kaiwharawhara Railway StationRailway Station16 November 1950, No. 70, page 1989
Kātiki Railway StationRailway Station16 November 1950, No. 70, page 1989, and amended by New Zealand Gazette, 8 September 2022, Notice No. 2022-ln3695
Lichfield Railway StationRailway Station16 November 1950, No. 70, page 1989
Moutohora Railway StationRailway Station16 November 1950, No. 70, page 1989
Muri Railway StationRailway Station16 November 1950, No. 70, page 1989
Ruatangata Railway StationRailway Station16 November 1950, No. 70, page 1989
Kekerengu Railway StationRailway Station19 July 1951, No. 55, page 1019
Hatuma Railway StationRailway Station25 October 1951, No. 82, page 1607
Waikaia Railway StationRailway Station25 October 1951, No. 82, page 1607
Ahuriri Railway StationRailway Station23 January 1953, No. 3, page 87
Kotemaori Railway StationRailway Station23 January 1953, No. 3, page 87
Orepuki Railway StationRailway Station23 January 1953, No. 3, page 87
Rewiti Railway StationRailway Station23 January 1953, No. 3, page 87
Tuamarina Railway StationRailway Station23 January 1953, No. 3, page 87
Galatea Railway SidingRailway Line22 December 1954, No. 80, page 2088
Horomanga Railway StationRailway Station22 December 1954, No. 80, page 2088
Mangaone Railway SidingRailway Line22 December 1954, No. 80, page 2088
Pokairoa Railway SidingRailway Line22 December 1954, No. 80, page 2088
Tahuna Railway SidingRailway Line22 December 1954, No. 80, page 2088
Ohui Railway SidingRailway Line22 March 1956, No. 17, page 406
Wharemoa Railway StationRailway Station15 August 1963, No. 48, page 1181
Kurow Branch RailwayRailway Station5 May 1977, No. 49, page 1281
Rewanui Branch RailwayRailway Line5 May 1977, No. 49, page 1281
Seddonville Branch RailwayRailway Line5 May 1977, No. 49, page 1281
Kennington Railway StationRailway Station2 March 1978, No. 13, page 422
Abel LakeLake30 April 1987, No. 62, page 1964
Makareao Industrial RailwayRailway Line14 January 1988, No. 2, page 31
Otago Central Branch RailwayRailway Line14 January 1988, No. 2, page 31
Otiria-Kawakawa Industrial RailwayRailway Line14 January 1988, No. 2, page 31
Otiria-Okaihau Industrial RailwayRailway Line14 January 1988, No. 2, page 31
Cambridge Industrial SidingRailway Line29 August 1996, No. 94, page 2470
Waiareka Industrial LineRailway Line29 August 1996, No. 94, page 2470
Tāmaki Railway StationRailway StationNew Zealand Gazette, 3 November 2011, No. 168, page 4698, and amended by New Zealand Gazette, 16 July 2020, Notice No. 2020-ln3114
Second Schedule
Discontinued unofficial recorded nameFormer geographic feature typeFormer NZTopo50 grid reference
Amokura Railway StationRailway Station29 July 1948, No. 42, page 939
AickensRailway StationBU20 869628
Garston Railway StationRailway StationCD11 626560
Inchbonnie Railway StationRailway StationBU20 751684
Inglewood Railway StationRailway StationBH29 044650
Jacksons Railway StationRailway StationBU20 793667
Mina Railway StationRailway StationBV26 188602
Sheffield Railway StationRailway StationBW22 206956
Westfield StationRailway StationBA32 631106

Notice of the final determinations on assigning official antarctic geographic names

Schedule
Official assigned Antarctic geographic nameGeographic feature typeCoordinates (latitude, longitude)
Mount LevyMountain-77.74673 161.51745
Mount SheppardMountain-83.29134 166.34832

Notice of decisions to adopt, alter and discontinue undersea feature names

First Schedule
Official adopted or altered undersea feature nameDescription
Gill SeamountA seamount at -34.6207 latitude 178.3807 longitude. Altered from Gill Volcano (existing undersea feature name).
Kaharoa SeamountA seamount at -34.6956 latitude 178.5446 longitude. Altered from Yokosuka Seamount (official by New Zealand Gazette 26 May 2016, Notice No. 2016-ln2987).
Kaingaroa BankAn undersea bank at -43.5976 latitude -175.9236 longitude. Position of an existing undersea feature name altered as the feature does not exist at the position previously depicted on bathymetric charts.
Maungamoana SeamountA seamount at -50.6827 latitude 163.8119 longitude. Altered from Maungamoana Knoll (existing undersea feature name).
Megabrick HillAn undersea hill at -40.0689 latitude 167.9778 longitude. Altered from Megabrick (existing undersea feature name).
Ngātoroirangi TroughAn undersea trough at -33.5552 latitude 179.5255 longitude. Altered from Ngatoroirangi Rift (existing undersea feature name).
Ōhīnau KnollAn undersea knoll at -36.4172 latitude 176.9545 longitude. Altered from Ōhena Knoll (official by New Zealand Gazette 5 June 2014, No. 59, page 1645).
Ōhīnau RidgeAn undersea ridge extending for approximately 73km from -36.7061 latitude 176.7512 longitude to -36.2225 latitude 177.2277 longitude. Altered from Ohena Ridge (existing undersea feature name).
Pakupaku RidgeAn undersea ridge extending for approximately 23km from -39.5018 latitude 178.7499 longitude to -39.3046 latitude 178.7167 longitude. Adopted as official.
Pāpaku BasinAn undersea basin at -38.9291 latitude 178.8768 longitude. Adopted as official.
Puke HillAn undersea hill at -39.0387 latitude 178.9658 longitude. Altered from Puke Seamount (existing undersea feature name).
Puke RidgeAn undersea ridge extending for approximately 13km from -38.9144 latitude 178.9205 longitude to -38.8060 latitude 178.9260 longitude. Adopted as official.
Rangiauria HillAn undersea hill at -44.9586 latitude -175.6571 longitude. Altered from Rangiauria Rise (existing undersea feature name).
Raukūmara EscarpmentAn undersea escarpment extending for approximately 49km from -37.1883 latitude 178.5747 longitude to -36.8263 latitude 178.8275 longitude. Altered from Raukumara Scarp (existing undersea feature name).
Taieri ChannelAn undersea channel extending for approximately 196km from -46.3301 latitude 171.0785 longitude to -46.2321 latitude 173.0382 longitude. Extent altered to include the former Centre Bounty Channel. Previously official by New Zealand Gazette 5 June 2014, No. 59, page 1642.
Teina HillAn undersea hill at -37.0757 latitude 176.8561 longitude. Altered from Teina Knoll (existing undersea feature name).
Tolaga KnollAn undersea knoll at -38.7925 latitude 178.8033 longitude. Adopted as official.
Tuaheni ValleyAn undersea valley extending for approximately 18km from -38.7964 latitude 178.4590 longitude to -38.9319 latitude 178.4416 longitude. Adopted as official.
Twin HillAn undersea hill at -40.0553 latitude 167.98514 longitude. Altered from Twin (existing undersea feature name).
Whāiti RidgeAn undersea ridge extending for approximately 37km from -39.5621 latitude 178.6720 longitude to -39.2576 latitude 178.6792 longitude. Adopted as official.
Wharekauri RidgeAn undersea ridge extending for approximately 43km from -43.5769 latitude -175.7875 longitude to -43.5266 latitude -175.2728 longitude. Altered from Wharekauri Bank (existing undersea feature name).
Wharekauri Sea ValleyAn undersea valley extending for approximately 58km from -43.6525 latitude -175.9668 longitude to -43.6417 latitude -175.2556 longitude. Adopted as official.
Second Schedule
Discontinued undersea feature nameDescription
Centre Bounty ChannelThis name is for a feature extending from -46.3773 latitude to 171.6073 longitude to -46.2321 latitude 173.0382 longitude, being part of the same physical undersea channel as Taieri Channel. Centre Bounty Channel (also published on bathymetric maps as Centre Channel) is discontinued in favour of the name Taieri Channel, which is redefined in the First Schedule. 
Lachlan DepressionThe feature at -39.5000 latitude 177.5000 longitude is not an undersea feature as defined in the Act and so is discontinued.
Taiaroa GapThis name for a feature at -45.6667 latitude 171.1000 longitude arose from a publication error in a 1991 print Gazetteer, and is a duplication of Taiaroa Canyon, and so is discontinued.

Amendments - New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa - amendments to official undersea names

Schedule
Notice headingNew Zealand Gazette referenceAmending action
Notice of Adopted Existing Undersea Feature NamesNew Zealand Gazette, 5 June 2014, No. 59, page 1642

For Kapukairo Knoll, replace:

“37°02.33’S Latitude, 176°53.77’E longitude.”

with

“-37.0422 Latitude, 176.8861 Longitude”

Notice of Decisions to Alter Undersea Feature NamesNew Zealand Gazette, 5 June 2014, No. 59, page 1645

Replace: “Puketuroto / Hoopers Channel”

with

Puketūroto / Hoopers Channel”

and replace:

“46°20.00’S Latitude, 171°35.00’E Longitude.”

with

“-46.2784 Latitude, 171.3165 Longitude”

  

Replace “Puketuroto / Hoopers Canyon”

with

Puketūroto / Hoopers Canyon”

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 First, Second and Third Schedules became official on the settlement date, 9 April 2026.

For the Fourth Schedule, 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. 

First Schedule
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)
Second Schedule
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
Third Schedule
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.
Fourth Schedule
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