Proposals being considered by the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa could mean three offensive names in North Canterbury may soon be replaced.
Public views are being sought on these proposals to replace the current unofficial recorded names 'Nigger Hill' and 'Nigger Stream'.
NZGB Secretary Wendy Shaw says, “The proposals – from a member of the public – are based on these names being in poor taste, offensive, discriminatory and derogatory,”
“Under the proposals, ‘Niggerhead’ and ‘Nigger Hill’ would become ‘Tawhai Hill’ and ‘Kānuka Hills’ respectively – named after native trees – and ‘Nigger Stream’ would become ‘Steelhead Stream’ after the local trout species."
She adds that on the 23rd of September the NZGB agreed to three months' consultation to give the public an opportunity to have their say on the name changes being made.
Public consultation will run for three months starting on October 29 2015 through to January 29 2016. Anyone can made a submission.