Part 1General matters and key provisions relating to New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
New Zealand Geographic Board: its jurisdiction, powers, functions, and duties: Functions of Board
11Other functions of Board
In order to carry out its principal functions under section 10, the Board may—
- adopt policies, rules, standards, protocols, guidelines, or similar instruments for carrying out its functions, including, but not limited to, rules, standards, protocols, or guidelines that it considers appropriate for the spelling and systematic designation of official geographic names:
- examine cases of doubtful spelling of names and determine the spelling to be adopted on official charts or official maps:
- investigate and determine the priority of the discovery of any geographic feature:
- collect original Māori names for recording on official charts and official maps:
- encourage the use of original Māori names on official charts and official maps:
- seek advice from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) on the correct orthography of any Māori name:
- undertake research into any proposal to assign, alter, or approve the official geographic name or recorded name of a geographic feature:
- undertake other functions necessary to enable it to act effectively under this Act or any other enactment.
Without limiting section 260 of the Local Government Act 2002, the Board may alter the name of a district or region if, by resolution, a meeting of the relevant local authority—
- consents to the alteration; or
- requests the alteration.
If the Board carries out the function provided for by subsection (2), the provisions of sections 16 to 20 apply as if the district or region affected were a geographic feature.
Notes
- Section 11(1)(g): amended, on , by section 105 of the Statutes Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 74).

