Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008

General matters and key provisions relating to New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa - Purpose, interpretation, and other general provisions

3: Purpose

You could also call this:

"This law helps the New Zealand Geographic Board name places and work with the community."

Illustration for New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008

The purpose of this Act is to help the New Zealand Geographic Board do its job. You will see the Board is responsible for naming geographic features and areas protected by the Crown. It was first set up under the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946. The Act helps the Board make decisions about names and ensures it has the right people on it. You can see the Board's job is to assign, approve, and change official geographic names. This helps keep names consistent and organised. The Act also helps the Board work with the community and government. It makes sure people know about name changes and can have a say. You can see the Board's role is important for recognising cultural and heritage values associated with geographic features. The Act replaces the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946. It helps the Board keep a record of official names and makes them available to the public. This record is important for the community and government to use.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1065419.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Environment and resources > ConservationEnvironment and resources > Town planningGovernment and voting > Government departmentsArts and culture > Heritage protection
Previous

2: Commencement, or

""

Next

4: Interpretation, or

""

Part 1General matters and key provisions relating to New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
Purpose, interpretation, and other general provisions

3Purpose

  1. The purposes of this Act are to—

  2. provide for—
    1. the continuation of the New Zealand Geographic Board as the same body as that established under the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946, with the primary responsibility for naming geographic features and Crown protected areas; and
      1. the membership of the Board, so as to ensure adequate representation on the Board of community and government interests; and
        1. the administration of the Board; and
        2. establish the jurisdiction of the Board; and
          1. set out the Board’s powers, functions, and duties, in particular providing for the Board to assign, approve, alter, adopt, validate, or discontinue the use of official geographic names for geographic features within its jurisdiction, so as to achieve a co-ordinated and standardised approach to official geographic names; and
            1. provide effective notification, consultation, and decision-making procedures for naming geographic features; and
              1. provide the means for appropriate recognition to be accorded to cultural and heritage values associated with geographic features; and
                1. enable certain administrative needs of government (including local government) to be met; and
                  1. provide for the Board’s role of reviewing proposals to assign official geographic names to Crown protected areas; and
                    1. ensure the provision of, and public access to, an authoritative record of official geographic names; and
                      1. repeal the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946.

                        Notes
                        • Section 3(c): amended, on , by section 102 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).