Five English/Maori place-names have been given international recognition by the United States Library of Congress, and more Southern locations are likely to follow.
The agreement by the Library of Congress to accept New Zealand dual language place names was a significant achievement, National Library of New Zealand content services director Alison Elliott said.
The decision by the Library of Congress, which acts as a defacto international standard for subject headings, would enable bibliographic records on dual language place-names to be created worldwide, she said.
"Originally, we were told we could have Maori or English place-names, but we are delighted to have the proper place-name included."
The first group of dual language place-names are Aoraki/Mt Cook, Southern Alps/Ka Tiritiri o te Moana, Stewart Island/Rakiura, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Westland/Tai Poutini National Park.
Most of the place-names arose from the 1997 Ngai Tahu settlement, which led to 88 South Island place-names changed to English/Maori place-names, she said.
Other likely official place-names include Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, Fox Glacier/Te Moeka o Tuawe, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, Matiu/Somes Island and Doubtful Sound/Patea.
