Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! We encourage all members of the community to put their great ideas forward. 

To suggest a road name to Council, you need to fill out one of the two surveys at the bottom of this page. Complete the necessary fields and it will be sent to the Property Database Officer for consideration.

Submit a name for the Pre-approved List

Float an idea for a Road Name

For Te Reo names, Council wants to ensure the Rūnaka are happy that the suggested name is fitting for the district. The Rūnaka may apply their own criteria for deciding if a name is suitable, however they will be looking at things such as;

• Is it offensive?
• Does it have cultural/historical links to the district or an area within the district?
• Is it spelled correctly?
• Are there any additional permissions from a family or other Rūnaka required?

Below are the contact details for the two Papatipu Rūnaka in the Invercargill District:

Waihōpai Rūnaka Postal Address: PO Box 7017, South City, Invercargill Phone: (03) 216 9074 Email: info@waihopai.org.nz 

Awaura Rūnaka Postal Address: 12 Bradshaw Street, PO Box 19, Bluff 9814 Phone: (03) 212 8652 Email: office@awaruarunaka.iwi.nz

For family names, Council needs to ensure that the family in question is happy for that name to be used and if they have any caveats that may go with it. For example;

• If it is a 6th generation Bluff family name, they may wish for it to only be used to name a road in Bluff. 
• If the person was a veteran, they want also want the RSA or similar to be happy with its use?
• The family may not want their name used for a variety of reasons and if that is the case, then it needs to be respected. 

Two roads can not have the same name. For example, if "Smith Road" already exists, however the origins of that road name are to a different Smith family, unfortunately that name is already assigned and Council is unable to support additional roads be assigned with Smith as a name.  

For clarity, while examples already exist of one name being used with different suffix e.g. 

• Chesney Street, 
• Chesney Court, 
• Chesney Place

 The current policy does not allow for this as it create confusion for postal and emergency services.

Council will produce a list of pre-approved names and upload it to the website once we have some names to populate on to these lists. Mana Whenua are working on a list of Te Reo names to help start a list that they are comfortable with and then this can be built on, once others come in and are approved. 

The policy states "New road name applications must be accompanied by the reason for each name, including any meaning, origins, historical background, and relationship with a theme and/or linkages with the area. Names must reflect historical, geographical or cultural significance associated with the area, a common or established theme in the area or the name of a noteworthy person." 

It is anticipated most suggested road names will fall within this statement. If it does not, then you could still submit a road name and it may be considered, depending on the circumstances. The more justification you can provide for why the name you are suggesting should be used, the greater the chance it would be accepted.   

Council have attached a list of names already used within the Invercargill District. We have also linked our maps page that will allow you to complete a search as well. You can find these under the documents or links parts of this LetsTalk page. 

When you apply for Resource Consent for your subdivision, you will be prompted by Council that you need to submit your suggested road names in accordance with the Road Naming Policy. The best way to do this is to email Property.Database@icc.govt.nz to initiate the process.