Some 650 addresses in Waihi will change next March after years of having numbers that run the wrong way and odd and even numbers on the same side of some street.

House numbers on the properties will alter to ensure they meet the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) standards for street addresses.

Waihi is addressing its crazy numbering. Picture: Hauraki District Council.

The changes were proposed three years ago, only for the idea to be put on hold. From March 1 next year, odd numbers will now be on one side of the street, and evens on the other, with all numbers sequential.

The unusual legacy is believed to date back to the town's gold rush days, when workers from different mining companies settled in different areas.

However, the current set-up provides problems for the emergency services, who are sent when required via centralised control rooms.

Ambulances, fire service and police agree that changes need to be made.

Ward chairman Harry Shepherd says: 'It's a combination of things. It's been on the agenda for a while now, but for one reason or another, it was put on the back burner.

'There has been some pressure from the emergency services, and if you look at the streets in Waihi, some of them have just got crazy numbering.

'LINZ were quite adamant that the whole town needed changing. Instead of going from the centre out, addresses seem to be from out to the centre. As a result, there seems to be some pretty chaotic numbering.”

'It's been a problem for many years. Any visitor or anybody new to the town has a lot of trouble looking for places.”

Hauraki District Council will cover the costs, but it is not expected to be an expensive exercise, says Harry.

Council have posted a list of the streets affected, and 143 will have their road name and number changed, while 507 will have the street number changed.

The affected streets are:

• Toomey Street - Kensington Road
• Victoria Street opposite Rocket Park
• Parry Palm Avenue – Seddon Avenue – Seddon Street
• Wrigley Street
• Bradford Street– Roberts Street
• Johnston Street – Consols Street
• Rosemont Road
• Union Street
• Kenny Street – Barry Road – Walmsley Road – Oldfield Road
• Barry Road

For a map and a full explanation, view the changes to the affected streets.

Council have organised the following drop-in sessions at Waihi Library's Meeting Room, on Rosemont Road, where residents can discuss concerns:

Friday, November 20 - 9am to 11am or 3pm to 5pm

Saturday, November 21 - 10.30am to 12.30pm

Monday, November 23 - 9am to 11am or 5pm to 7pm

Wednesday, November 25 - 5pm to 7pm

Friday, November 27 - 9am to 11am