The long-running saga about names for Central Otago's two highest peaks could be drawing to a close.
On Friday, the New Zealand Geographic Board will consider 63 submissions on the names proposed for the peaks, which are sited in a range between the Remarkables and the Hector Mountains.
There was an outcry two years ago when the board recommended the name Te Kohua for the highest peak, despite strong opposition.
Thirty-five of the 37 submissions received by the board at that time opposed the name.
Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson had the final say on the matter and rejected Te Kohua as a name and asked the Central Otago District Council for its views.
The council, and Mayor Tony Lepper, were among those who objected to the name.
Mr Williamson said there were several unnamed geographic features in the area and suggested the parties work together to come up with names.
As a result of that consultation, the council proposed the name Te Karearea Peak for the most prominent and visible peak, viewed from Cromwell, and Ngai Tahu proposed Mt Tuwhakaroria for the peak next to that.
Mr Lepper suggested the lake at the base of the mountains be called Lake Te Kohua.
Those names were open for submissions earlier this year and most of the responses were favourable.
Board chairman Dr Don Grant said the name Te Karearea Peak attracted 26 submissions, all in favour, while Mt Tuwhakaroria drew 34 submissions in support and three opposed.
Lake Te Kohua attracted 25 submissions in favour and two opposed.
Te Karearea is named after the native falcon. Te Kohua came from the Maori name for a three-legged iron cooking pot.
Ngai Tahu chief Reko guided Otago farmer Nathanael Chalmers through Central Otago in 1853 and was paid with the pot.
The name for Mt Tuwhakaroria came from a Ngai Tahu creation legend about the ''treading of the land'' by Rakaihautu, who was said to have formed the great southern lakes with Tuwhakaroria, his formidable digging stick.
