Russell or Kororāreka? An official name is decided

Friday, 23 May 2025

The Bay of Islands town of Russell could change back to its Māori name, Kororāreka. (Video first published April 19, 2023.)

Kororāreka Marae Society proposed to officially change the name Russell back to its original name of Kororāreka, and now a decision has been reached.

Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board announced on Friday that the proposal to name the Northland township of Russell had been declined - it will be officially known as Russell.

The Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk, made the decision on the proposal in his role as the minister responsible for overseeing place naming.

Kororāreka Marae Society chairperson Debra Rewiri submitted a proposal to the Geographic Board in 2021 to reinstate the original Māori name.

The board heard submissions for and against the proposal in June 2023 but was unable to come to a decision.

In a statement to Stuff in July 2024, Penk said he had read and is considering the board’s report. “I know people feel deeply about the name of their home and given there are a range of views both for and against changing Russell’s name, it is not a straightforward decision.”

An unscientific Stuff poll of more than 18,000 readers in 2023 found 57% wanted Russell to keep its name, instead of switching to Kororāreka.