New Zealand’s official register of place names, the Gazetteer, has been upgraded to provide improved accessibility and a better user experience.
The Gazetteer is published by Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa, the New Zealand Geographic Board.
According to Board chairperson Anselm Haanen, the latest version of the New Zealand Gazetteer aims to make place name information more accessible to a wider audience, thus ensuring that users can easily find and use the information they need.
“We are committed to making geographic information accessible to everyone,” says Mr Haanen.
“The updates to the Gazetteer reflect our dedication to providing a user-friendly and intuitive experience for everyone, regardless of their technical abilities or accessibility needs.”
The refreshed Gazetteer has a more user-friendly interface, as well as better search functionality and navigation tools, making it easier for users to locate specific place names and information.
It also supports a range of accessibility features, such as improved compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
The refreshed Gazetteer aligns with the Board’s broader mission to promote the correct use and understanding of place names in New Zealand, on its seafloor and in its area of interest in Antarctica.
In related Australian news, the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping‘s Place Names Working Group (PNWG) has published Draft Version 4 of the Australian Place Naming Principles.
According to the PNWG, “As there is no official national naming authority within Australia the PNWG has developed the Australian Place Naming Principles to provide a consistent and unified approach to place naming across the country”.
“The principles replace the previous Principles for the Consistent Use of Place Names and are designed to address contemporary community expectations, with a particular focus on safety, cultural sensitivity and inclusivity,” the PNWG says.
“It recognises the critical role place naming plays in supporting a range of functions, including economic development, research, conservation, service delivery, and in reflecting the cultural identity and values of Australia.”
