New Zealand Geographic Board
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1946 |
| Preceding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | New Zealand |
| Headquarters | Radio New Zealand House, 155 The Terrace, Wellington 41°17′06″S 174°46′28″E / 41.28500°S 174.77444°E |
| Minister responsible |
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| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand |
The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (NZGB) is the authority over geographical and hydrographic names within New Zealand and its territorial waters. This includes the naming of small urban settlements, localities, mountains, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, harbours and natural features and may include researching local Māori names. It has named many geographical features in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica. It has no authority to alter street names (a local body responsibility) or the name of any country.
The board was established by the New Zealand Geographic Board Act 1946, which has since been replaced by the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008. Although an independent institution, it is responsible to the Minister for Land Information.
The NZGB secretariat is part of Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and provides the board with administrative and research assistance and advice.
The New Zealand Geographic Board succeeded an honorary Geographical Advisory Board that had been set up in 1924 under the direction of the Minister of Land. That board had seven members, including Herbert Williams, Elsdon Best and Johannes C. Andersen.