New Zealand's main islands to go from no names to two names: officially

WELLINGTON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's two main islands, commonly known as the North Island and the South Island, are officially nameless, but might soon have two official names each, it was announced Thursday.

The New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) has proposed to the government that the two islands officially assume their English titles and their Maori names: Te Ika-a-Maui (North Island) and Te Waipounamu (South Island).

The NZGB sought public submissions on the names after it was revealed the two islands had never been officially named.

NZGB chairperson Dr Don Grant said the board was encouraged that the overwhelming majority of public submitters wanted the choice to use the English or Maori names.

Of the 2,608 submissions received, 64 percent supported Te Ika- a-Maui; 65 percent supported Te Waipounamu; 87 percent supported North Island; and 88 percent supported South Island.

"That said, the numbers were not the main consideration. The board is guided more by the reasons provided by submitters for their support or objection," Grant said in a statement.

The NZGB had carefully considered the supporting and opposing submissions and recommended to Land Information Minister that both English and Maori names be made official.

"Once the minister has made his final determination, it will be gazetted as official and notified publicly," said Grant.

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