Auckland: Kiwi place names starting with the N-word could soon be wiped from the map.

The public has three months to decide whether to change three offensive North Canterbury place names that have well passed their use-by date, the national place naming authority says.

The offensive place names are in the foothills of the Southern Alps northeast of Cass, North Canterbury. Credit:www.topomap.co.nz

N---er Hill would change to Kanuka Hills and N---erhead to Tawhai Hill, named after native trees, while N---er Stream would become Steelhead Stream after the local trout species.

A member of the public proposed the changes based on the names being "offensive, discriminatory and derogatory", NZ Geographic Board secretary Wendy Shaw said.