Notice of Decisions to Assign, Alter and Discontinue Undersea Feature Names
Pursuant to sections 10(1)(d), 25 and 21(2) of the New Zealand Geographic Board (Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act 2008, the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa (“Board”) gives notice of one newly assigned and four altered official undersea feature names, and one discontinued existing undersea feature name, beyond New Zealand’s 12 nautical mile territorial limit, as described in the Schedules below.
The Board’s final determinations on these undersea feature names took effect on 5 May 2025.
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Official Assigned or Altered Undersea Feature Name |
Description |
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Ahiparaha Knoll |
An undersea knoll at -36.0208 latitude, -178.2960 longitude, approximately 11km northeast of Rapuhia Scarp, and 335km northeast of East Cape. Alteration from Moa Seamount (existing undersea feature name). |
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Marquis de Castries Seamount |
A seamount at -28.8348 latitude, 179.5844 longitude, at the northeast of Mascarin Ridge, and approximately 240km west-northwest of Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands. New name assigned as official. |
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Mascarin Ridge |
An undersea ridge at -28.9760 latitude, 179.3407 longitude, extending west-southwest from Marquis de Castries Seamount, approximately 245km west-northwest of Raoul Island in the Kermadec Islands. Alteration from Mascarin Seamount (existing undersea feature name). |
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Matawhā Seamount |
A seamount at -36.6846 latitude, -177.1991 longitude, approximately 30km northeast of Rapuhia Scarp, and 386km east-northeast of East Cape. Alteration from Kiore Seamount (existing undersea feature name). |
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Paea Knoll |
An undersea knoll at -36.4756 latitude, -177.7050 longitude, approximately 12km northeast of Rapuhia Scarp, and 356km east-northeast of East Cape. Alteration from Tuatara Seamount (existing undersea feature name). |
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Discontinued Undersea Feature Name |
Description |
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Karetu Canyons |
Undersea canyons do not exist at -34.4167 latitude, 171.750 longitude, and so is Discontinued. |
Dated at Wellington this 5th day of May 2025.
W. K. SHAW, Secretary, New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa.