Three place names in North Canterbury considered to be offensive will be changed.

Nigger Stream, near Arthur’s Pass, will now be Pukio Stream after a native grass.

Niggerhead, above Lake Sumner, will be called Tawhai Hill after a species of native Beech Tree.

And Nigger Hill, east of Arthur’s Pass, will be renamed Kanuka Hills after a species of native tea tree.

Land Information Minister Louise Upston says these names reflect a time when attitudes towards this word were different to what they are now.

She says she is pleased to make the change, as the word is clearly offensive.