Macrons are not new to New Zealand address but they are continuing to grow in number.
Macrons first appeared on our radar in 2021 when they were included in a small handful of street names. The properties on these streets inherited the macrons and as a result, macrons were introduced to the Addressfinder address database.
Since 2021, the number of officially gazetted macron containing, street, suburb and town names have grown considerably. As a result, the number of addresses containing macrons has also grown and is now at the point where these make up a significant proportion of the address database (almost 10% as at Jun 2023).
While the inclusion of macrons is a great initiative in the preservation of our culture and heritage, through the restoration and correction original Māori place names, it can pose a challenge for some organisations.
Organisations that make use of older ERP systems or those which rely on external downstream parties for business outcomes may struggle to handle or consume these characters. If you are unsure if macrons are a problem for you or not, run a macron containing address (eg, 1 Kaimanawa Street, Taupō 3330) through your system and check to see things run smoothly.
If you find that you are having any trouble, please get in touch with us at support@addressfinder.nz.
Who is responsible for changing the place names?
The official place name governing body is the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa.
Their role is to: 1. give places official names 2. approve place names that already exist unofficially 3. change place names (eg correct spelling) 4. remove place names 5. review names for Crown protected areas (eg national parks).
If you wish to view the place names that have been reviewed and approved, search them in the NZ Gazette.
