Background

Kawerau District Council wants a more consistent way to name new roads, open spaces, and community facilities so that names better reflect our district. The proposed policy will formally embed the guidance and input of Tangata Whenua Iwi Ngāti Tῡwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) as a partner in the naming process as they hold the mana and traditional associations with local places, and are the most appropriate authority, to seek options for Te Reo Māori names.

Submission are now open! 

Key Dates:

Please note kawerau District Council must recieve your written submission by 5pm on Friday 6 Septemeber 2024

Please use this link to fill out a submission form

Please use this link to view the draft Naming Policy 

Why your views matter

Names are a significant way of telling and maintaining our local stories into the future.  This policy has been drafted in a way to reflect this, however it is for the community to determine whether the proposed naming policy meets the intended purpose and choose to support the policy’s adoption.

Purpose of the Policy

As set out in the policy, the main purposes for Council’s Naming Policy are to:

• ensure the names of roads, open spaces, features, and community facilities tell the story of Kawerau and reflect Kawerau’s natural, cultural and historic heritage;
• encourage locally significant Te Reo Māori names for roads, open spaces, features, and community facilities to enable greater visibility of Tangata Whenua Iwi Ngāti Tῡwharetoa (Bay of Plenty) Settlement Trust connections to Kawerau;
• provide clarity and consistency in the naming of roads, open spaces, features,  and community facilities;
• ensure names are appropriate and do not duplicate or cause confusion with existing or approved names;
• ensure a safer community by facilitating accurate property identification for emergency services;
• ensure Council meets its obligations under the Local Government Act 1974 when naming roads and numbering properties.

Reasons for the proposal 

The Local Government Act 1974 grants Council the power to name roads, however the method for selecting suitable names is left to Council discretion.

While Council has an informal process, this is largely unknown to the community.  This policy would provide a framework to guide the process and provide some certainty for developers, the community and Council alike.

Have Your Say On This Policy

We want to know your thoughts on the draft Naming Policy 2024.  Any person or organisation is welcome to make a submission. 

Council will take all submissions into account when it decides on the final content of the policy. 

Submission forms and copies of the Statement of Proposal are available:

• Online submission form
• At the Council Offices, Library or isite
• By phoning (07) 306 9009 and requesting a copy.

Submissions can be made:

Drop-in Sessions for Naming Policy

View the policy

Create your own user feedback survey