By the Explore Palmerston North news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026
Palmerston North City Council is proposing two new policies on naming streets, parks, suburbs and council facilities, including who can hold naming rights. Feedback is open until 4pm on Tuesday 8 December.
- Deadline
- 4pm, Tuesday 8 December 2026
- Drop-in
- Central Library: Wednesday 25 November, 4pm to 6pm
- What to do
- Read the draft policies and submit online at pncc.govt.nz/naming
Three separate policies cover naming in the city at the moment, and the oldest have not been reviewed in over two decades. In its announcement on 5 November, the council said it wants to replace them with two updated policies and is asking residents what they think.
What the two policies would do
- Naming Policy: sets out how roads, open spaces, suburbs and council facilities are named. A new name would need a local connection, for example te reo Māori, local history, people who have given to the community, natural features or the city’s cultural diversity. Rangitāne o Manawatū would be involved earlier in relevant naming decisions, and names gifted by iwi for places of cultural significance would be given priority.
- Naming Rights Policy: covers when a business, organisation or donor can be recognised in the name of a council facility. It would open naming rights up to cultural and venue facilities, allow philanthropic as well as commercial partnerships, and make clear who is not eligible: alcohol, tobacco, vaping and weapons businesses, and political or religious organisations.
David Murphy, the council’s general manager of strategic planning, said in the release, “The names we give our public places are usually long-held and enduring.” He added, “Everyone has places around the city that mean something to them.”
Signs bylaw stays the same
At the same time, the council has reviewed its Signs and Use of Public Places Bylaw and decided to leave it unchanged. People can comment on that decision separately, through the bylaw’s own consultation page on the council website.
Timeline and how to take part
The consultation document, which includes both draft policies, and the online submission form are on the council’s naming consultation page. The form asks whether you want to speak at the hearing, which the council plans to hold in March 2027, with deliberations and adoption of the final policies planned for May 2027.
If you want to talk it through first, council staff will be at the Central Library on Wednesday 25 November from 4pm to 6pm to answer questions and help with submissions. Submissions close at 4pm on Tuesday 8 December.
- Palmerston North City Council: What's in a name? Have your say on our city's places and spaces, released 5 November 2026
- Palmerston North City Council: Naming and naming rights policies consultation page (opened 5 November 2026), released 5 November 2026
Explore Palmerston North news desk: news@explorepalmerstonnorth.co.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.
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