Names in poor taste

Some offensive place names could soon be wiped off the New Zealand map.

The New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) is seeking public feedback on proposals to change three place names in the foothills of the Southern Alps.

Niggerhead and Nigger Hill would become Tawhai Hill and Kanuka Hills respectively, after native trees that grow in the area, while Nigger Stream would be renamed Steelhead Stream after a local trout species.

NZGB secretary Wendy Shaw said the name changes were proposed by a member of the public. ‘‘The proposals . . . are based on these names being in poor taste, offensive, discriminatory and derogatory,’’ she said.

Offensive place names staying put for now include the West Coast’s Darkies Creek, Darkies Terrace Track and Darkies Terrace, north of Greymouth.

They were apparently named after AfricanAmerican prospector Arthur ‘‘Darkie’’ Addison in the 1860s.

There is a Darkie Stream in South Auckland, which is also not up for review.