Many official place names in New Zealand are dual names, incorporating both the original Māori place names and the English names bestowed since European settlement. Although a mixture of Māori and English names is the most common form of dual name, some places, such as Mahināpua Creek / Tūwharewhare, include Māori elements in each part of the name, and Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) incorporates two English names.
The practice of giving certain New Zealand places dual names began in the 1920s,[1] but dual names have become much more common in the 1990s and 2000s, in part due to treaty settlements. Many places have names with a long heritage in each culture. For instance, a recently initialled settlement will see Cloudy Bay, given this name by Captain Cook in 1770, renamed Te Koko-o-Kupe / Cloudy Bay,[2] with the Māori name recalling the early explorer Kupe scooping up oysters from the bay.[3]
In rare cases, a place may be given two alternative names instead of one dual name. Prominent examples include the mountain called Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont and the town called Whanganui or Wanganui.[4] These places are not included in the list below.
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Official place names in New Zealand are usually determined by the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa). In cases where there have been objections to a proposed name, a final decision is made by the Minister of Lands.
A large number of dual names have been conferred not by the NZGB, but were negotiated as part of Treaty of Waitangi claims settlements and then enacted by Parliament.[5] The 1998 Ngai Tahu settlement alone established 87 dual names, including Aoraki / Mount Cook.[6][7]
Originally, the board gazetted dual names in a form where the less commonly used name was in parentheses, e.g. Taylors Mistake (Te Onepoto). In the 1990s the system was changed to separating the names with a forward slash, e.g. name1 / name2. Placing a space before and after the slash is encouraged.[8]
The board now generally puts the Māori name first, but exceptions are sometimes made, for example when maritime safety is paramount (e.g. Baring Head / Ōrua-pouanui).[8]
New name | Former name | Type of place | Region | Year changed | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpine Lake / Ata Puai | Alpine Lake | Lake | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Aoraki / Mount Cook | Mount Cook | Mountain | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Aoraki / Mount Cook | Mount Cook | Township | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Ashburton River / Hakatere | Ashburton River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Ashley River / Rakahuri | Ashley River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Avon River / Ōtakaro | Avon River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Awaroa / Godley Head | Godley Head | Headland | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Baring Head / Ōrua-pouanui | Baring Head | Headland | Wellington | 2009 [10] | |
Blumine Island (Oruawairua) | Blumine Island | Island | Marlborough | 1980 [10] | |
Browning Pass / Noti Raureka | Browning Pass | Mountain pass | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Burgess Island (Pokohinu) | Burgess Island | Island | Auckland | 1982 [10] | |
Cam River / Ruataniwha | Cam River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku | Campbell Island | Island | Subantarctic islands | 1998 [7] | |
Canister Cove (Waikokopu) | Canister Cove | Bay | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Cave Creek / Kotihotiho | Cave Creek | River | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Clutha River / Mata-Au | Clutha River (upstream of river fork) | River | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Colac Bay / Ōraka | Colac Bay | Township | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Colac Bay / Ōraka | Colac Bay | Bay/Inlet | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Cook River / Weheka | Cook River | River | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Coopers Lagoon / Muriwai | Coopers Lagoon | Lagoon | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu | Dart River | River | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Doubtful Sound / Patea | Doubtful Sound | Fiord | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
East Cape / Koromere | East Cape | Headland | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Estuary of the Heathcote and Avon Rivers/lhutai | Estuary of the Heathcote and Avon Rivers | Estuary | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Fanal Island (Motukino) | Fanal Island | Island | Auckland | 1982 [10] | |
Fighting Bay (Oraumoa) | Fighting Bay | Bay/Inlet | Marlborough | 1980 [10] | |
Flower Pot (Onoua) | Flower Pot | Locality | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe | Fox Glacier | Glacier | West Coast | 1998 [7] | Name does not apply to the town. |
Franz Josef / Waiau | Franz Josef | Township | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere | Franz Josef Glacier | Glacier | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Gillespies Point / Kōhaihai | Gillespies Point | Headland | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Goat Island / Rakiriri | Goat Island | Island | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Greenstone River / Hokonui | Greenstone or Big Hohonu River | River | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Grey River / Māwheranui | Grey River | River | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Groper Island (Tatapihi) | Groper Island | Island | Marlborough | 1982 [10] | |
Haast Pass / Tioripatea | Haast Pass | Mountain pass | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Harris Saddle / Tarahaka Whakatipu | Harris Saddle | Mountain pass | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Haukawakawa (Madsen) | Madsen | Locality | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Hauturu / Little Barrier Island | Little Barrier Island | Island | Auckland | 2004 [10] | |
Herekopare Island (Te Marama) | Herekopare Island | Island | Southland | 1998 [10] | |
Hollyford River / Whakatipu Kā Tuka | Hollyford River | River | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Horomamae / Owen Island | Owen Island | Island | Southland | 2001 [10] | |
Howells Point / Taramea | Howells Point | Headland | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Inainatu / Pile Bay | Pile Bay | Bay/inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Island Hill / Tumuaki | Island Hill | Hill | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Jackson Bay / Okahu | Jackson Bay | Bay/Inlet | West Coast | 1998 [7] | Not applicable to the township |
Jacksons Reef (Patuatini) | Jacksons Reef | Reef | Waikato | 1973 [10] | |
Kaioruru / Church Bay | Church Bay | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Kaitira (East Entry Point) | East Entry Point | Headland | Nelson | 1979 [10] | |
Karewa / Gannet Island | Gannet Island | Island | Waikato | 2002 [10] | |
Kurow Hill / Te Kohurau | Kurow Hill | Hill | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Lake Alabaster / Wāwāhi Waka | Lake Alabaster | Lake | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Lake Browning / Whakarewa | Lake Browning | Lake | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora) | Lake Ellesmere | Lake | Canterbury | 1989 [10] | |
Lake Grassmere / Kapara Te Hau | Lake Grassmere | Lake | Marlborough | 1998 [7] | |
Lake Ianthe / Matahi | Lake Ianthe | Lake | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Lake Karoro / Mathews | Lake Mathews | Lake | Northland | 2002 [10] | |
Lake McKerrow / Whakatipu Waitai | Lake McKerrow | Lake | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Lake Ōkataina / Te Moana i kataina ā Te Rangitakaroro | Lake Okataina | Lake | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [12] | |
Lake Rotoiti / Te Roto kite ā Ihenga i ariki ai Kahu | Lake Rotoiti | Lake | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [12] | |
Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) | Hamilton Lake | Lake | Waikato | 1974 [10] | Gazetteer lists this as "Lake Rotorua (Hamilton Lake)" (with a "u") |
Lake Rotorua / Te Rotorua nui ā Kahumatamomoe | Lake Rotorua | Lake | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [12] | |
Leaning Rock / Haehaeata | Leaning Rock | Rock | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Little Mangere Island (Tapuaenuku) The Fort | Little Mangere Island | Island | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Little Mount Peel / Huatekerekere | Little Mount Peel | Mountain | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Lords River / Tūtaekawetoweto | Lords River | River | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Lyttelton Harbour / Whakaraupō | Lyttelton Harbour | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Mackenzie Pass / Manahuna | Mackenzie Pass | Mountain pass | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Mahināpua Creek / Tūwharewhare | Mahināpua Creek | Stream | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Mākaro / Ward Island | Ward Island | Island | Wellington | 2001 [10] | |
Manawatāwhi / Great Island | Great Island | Island | Northland | 2005 [10] | |
Manawatāwhi / Three Kings Islands | Three Kings Islands | Island group | Northland | 2005 [10] | |
Matiu / Somes Island | Somes Island | Island | Wellington | 1997 [10] | |
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi | Milford Sound | Bay/Inlet | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Moeraki Boulders / Kaihinaki | Moeraki Boulders | Geological formation | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Mokiiti / Little Moggy Island | Little Moggy Island | Island | Southland | 2002 [10] | |
Mokinui / Big Moggy Island | Big Moggy Island | Island | Southland | 2002 [10] | |
Motukauatiiti / Corsair Bay | Corsair Bay | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | Does not apply to Corsair Bay suburb. |
Motukauatirahi / Cass Bay | Cass Bay | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | Does not apply to adjacent suburb. |
Motukokako Island (Piercy Island) | Piercy Island | Island | Northland | 1989 [10] | |
Motunau (Plate Island) | Plate Island | Island | Bay of Plenty | 1988 [10] | |
Mount Alfred / Ari | Mount Alfred | Mountain | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Anglem / Hananui | Mount Anglem | Mountain | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Aspiring / Tititea | Mount Aspiring | Mountain | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Charles / Poatiri | Mount Charles | Mountain | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Diffenbach (Hemokawa) | Mount Diffenbach | Hill | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Mount Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi | Mount Earnslaw | Mountain | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Grey / Maukatere | Mount Grey | Mountain | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Harman / Kaniere | Mount Harman | Mountain | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Harper / Mahaanui | Mount Harper | Mountain | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Hauruia / Bald Rock | Bald Rock | Peak | Northland | 2003 [9] | |
Mount Herbert / Te Ahu Patiki | Mount Herbert | Mountain | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Mount MacKenzie / Pakihiwitahi | Mount MacKenzie | Mountain | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Nimrod / Kaumira | Mount Nimrod | Mountain | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Upright / Te Taumata o Uekanuku | Mount Upright | Mountain | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Mount Watkin / Hikaroroa | Mount Watkin | Mountain | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
New River / Kaimata | New River | River | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Nga Kiore (Jag Rocks) | Jag Rocks | Island group | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Ngā Motu / Sugar Loaf Islands | Sugar Loaf Islands | Island group | Taranaki | 1999 [10] | |
Nine Mile Creek / Kotorepi | Nine Mile Creek | Stream | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
North Branch Ashburton River / Hakatere | North Branch Ashburton River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
North-East Reef (Terangi-taumaewa) | North-East Reef | Reef | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Ōkāritoiti / Lake Windermere | Lake Windermere | Lake | West Coast | 2010 [10] | |
Old Man Range / Kopuwai | Old Man Range | Mountain range | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Otamahua / Quail Island | Quail Island | Island | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Otokitoki / Gollans Bay | Gollans Bay | Bay/inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Otututu (Rough) River | Rough River | River | West Coast | 1987 [10] | |
Pahatea / Durden Hill | Durden Hill | Hill | Otago | 2007 [10] | |
Pariwhero / Red Rocks | Red Rocks | Rock | Wellington | 2009 [10] | |
Paterson Inlet / Whaka a Te Wera | Paterson Inlet (North and South West Arms) | Bay/Inlet | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Pauakaiwawe (McLarens Bay) | McLarens Bay | Bay/Inlet | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Pig Island / Mātau | Pig Island | Island | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Pigeon Island / Wāwāhi Waka | Pigeon Island | Island | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Pireka (Low Neck Bay) | Low Neck Bay | Bay/Inlet | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Pitt Island (Rangiauria) | Pitt Island | Island | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Pōhatu / Flea Bay | Flea Bay | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Port Hutt (Whangaroa Harbour) | Port Hutt | Harbour | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Port Levy (Potiriwi) / Koukourarata | Port Levy (Potiriwi) | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Port Pegasus / Pikihatiti | Port Pegasus | Bay/Inlet | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Port William / Potirepo | Port William | Bay/Inlet | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Pukehinau (Shellback) Stream | Shellback Stream | Stream | Waikato | 1974 [10] | |
Pukepohatu / Bald Rock | Bald Rock | Rock | Northland | 2002 [10] | |
Puotewheke (Scuffle Island) | Scuffle Island | Island | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Puroa / Boar Hill | Boar Hill | Hill | Northland | 2002 [10] | |
The Pyramid (Tarakoikoia) | The Pyramid | Island | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Quarantine Island / Kamau Taurua | Quarantine Island | Island | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Rangitoto ki te Tonga / D'Urville Island | D'Urville Island | Island | Marlborough | 2008 [13] | |
Refuge Island / Takataka | Refuge Island | Island | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Riverton / Aparima | Riverton | Township | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Rocky Point / Tauotikirangi | Rocky Point | Headland | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Round Rock (Rangituka) | Round Rock | Rock | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Selwyn River / Waikirikiri | Selwyn River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Seven Mile Creek / Waimatuku | Seven Mile Creek | Stream | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Shag Point / Matakaea | Shag Point | Headland | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Shag River (Waihemo) | Shag River | River | Otago | 1985 [10] | |
Ship Cone / Ōtaupiri | Ship Cone | Hill | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Sinclair Head / Te Rimurapa | Sinclair Head | Headland | Wellington | 2009 [10] | |
Snares Islands / Tini Heke | Snares Islands | Island group | Subantarctic islands | 1998 [7] | |
Solander Island (Hautere) | Solander Island | Island | Southland | 1980 [10] | |
South Branch Ashburton River / Hakatere | South Branch Ashburton River | River | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
South Cape / Whiore | South Cape | Headland | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
South East Island (Rangatira) | South East Island | Island | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
South West Cape / Puhiwaero | South West Cape | Headland | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana | Southern Alps | Mountain range | Canterbury | 1998 [7] | |
Spy Glass Point (Piripaua) | Spy Glass Point | Headland | Marlborough | 1975 [10] | |
Steeple Rock / Te Aroaro-o-Kupe | Steeple Rock | Rock | Wellington | 2009 [10] | |
Stewart Island / Rakiura | Stewart Island | Island | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
Taieri Island / Moturata | Taieri Island | Island | Otago | 1998 [7] | |
Taki-a-Maru (Fish Reef) | Fish Reef | Reef | Otago | 1985 [10] | |
Tapoa / Erskine Point | Erskine Point | Headland | Canterbury | 1949/2003 [9] | |
Tauhinukorokio / Mount Pleasant | Mount Pleasant | Hill | Canterbury | 1949/2003 [9] | Does not apply to suburb of Christchurch. |
Taukihepa / Big South Cape Island | Big South Cape Island | Island | Southland | 2001 [10] | |
Te Akaroa (West Entry Point) | West Entry Point | Headland | Nelson | 1979 [10] | |
Te Akau (Black Beach) | Black Beach | Beach | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Te Aumiti (French Pass) | French Pass | Channel | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River | Hutt River | River | Wellington | 2010 [14] | |
Te Henga (Bethells Beach) | Bethells Beach | Beach | Auckland | 1979 [10] | |
Te Motu Kairangi / Miramar Peninsula | Miramar Peninsula | Peninsula | Wellington | 2010 [15] | |
Te Onepoto / Taylors Mistake | Taylors Mistake | Locality | Canterbury | 1949/2003 [9] | The dual name applies to the locality, not the bay, which is still known as Taylors Mistake. |
Te Pohue / Camp Bay | Camp Bay | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Te Umukuri (Wellers Rock) | Wellers Rock | Rock | Otago | 1987 [10] | |
Te Waipapa / Diamond Harbour | Diamond Harbour | Island | Canterbury | 2003 [10] | |
Te Whakahewa (The Horns) | The Horns | Point | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
Te Wharau / Charteris Bay | Charteris Bay | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [10] | |
Ten Mile Creek / Waianiwaniwa | Ten Mile Creek | Stream | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
The Bluff / Motupōhue | The Bluff (Bluff Hill) | Hill | Southland | 1998 [7] | |
The Castle (Rangiwheau) | The Castle | Island | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | |
The Doughboy / Kokiraki | The Doughboy | Hill | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
The Sisters (Rangitatahi) | The Sisters | Chatham Islands | 1982 [11] | ||
Tihiokahukura / Castle Rock | Castle Rock | Rock outcrop | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Tikitapu / Blue Lake | Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) | Lake | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [12] | |
Tia Island (Entrance) | Island | Southland | 1998 [10] | ||
Timore Island (Chimneys) | Island | Southland | 1998 [10] | ||
Titi / Muttonbird Islands | Muttonbird Islands | Island group | Southland | 1998 [10] | Gazetteer contains five records for this name, identical except for coordinates. |
Tu Araiawa Island (Fin Island) | Fin Island | Island | Nelson | 1983 [10] | |
Waerenga / Mission Bay | Mission Bay | Bay | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [10] | |
Waikawau / Hannahs Bay | Hannahs Bay | Bay | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [10] | |
Waingaehe / Holdens Bay | Holdens Bay | Bay | Bay of Plenty | 2006 [10] | |
Waireinga / Bridal Veil Falls | Bridal Veil Falls | Waterfall | Waikato | 2008 [16] | |
Waitata / Little Port Cooper | Little Port Cooper | Bay/Inlet | Canterbury | 2003 [9] | |
Wellington Harbour (Port Nicholson) | Port Nicholson | Harbour | Wellington | 1984 [10] | |
Westland National Park / Tai Poutini National Park | Westland National Park | National park | West Coast | 1998 [7] | |
Whakaari / White Island | White Island | Island | Bay of Plenty | 1998 [10] | |
Whakapaingarara / Tapu Bush | Tapu Bush | Bush | Northland | 2002 [10] | |
Whakapirau / Rocky Point | Rocky Point | Point | Northland | 2002 [10] | |
Whiorau / Lowry Bay | Lowry Bay | Bay | Wellington | 2009 [10] | |
White Bluffs / Te Parinui o Whiti | White Bluffs | Bluffs | Marlborough | 1998 [7] | |
Whitireia / Mount Couper | Mount Couper | Hill | Wellington | 2007 [10] |