What to call the old State Highway 1?
The Kapiti Coast District Council has asked the public for input on what to call the old State Highway 1, now that the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway is open.
The council split the road into seven sections, with names suggested by local Iwi and historians:
In two years, the NZTA will hand the old state highway back to the district council, making it a local road. All suggestions will be considered by the community boards and then presented to the council for a decision later this year.
We asked you for your thoughts on Neighbourly.
PENNY EAMES FROM WAIKANAE BEACH
‘‘The Expressway has cut off the Kapiti Coast towns, so what we need is an alternative road for people wishing to visit the area.
‘‘One name, can include a Maori word. The Hume Highway (Victoria), the Pacific Highway (Queensland) and now the Kapiti Highway (Wellington). Sub names maybe, but for emergency services one overall name.’’
LYNNE EDGAR FROM WAIKANAE
‘‘I’ve suggested Southwards Dr, as Sir Len certainly has left us a great museum and community facility.’’
JONATHON HARRISON FROM OTAKI
‘‘I trust we might have some English names for these roads and not be totally influenced by the alternative.
‘‘Perhaps named after one or two notable New Zealanders, for example Hillary, Rutherford, Mansfield and the like.’’
CORINNE O’NEILL FROM OTAKI
‘‘I really like the idea of a Maori name for the road, or sections of it, but also have a basic suggestion of just calling it the Old Kapiti Highway. The OK Highway.’’
ALISON MCDONALD FROM OTAKI
‘‘I like the idea of calling the whole stretch the Tipuna Highway. Tipuna is a Maori term for grandparents and ancestors.
‘‘The old road will mostly be used by grandparents or those of that age group who roam the Kapiti area - also, in a sense the old road is an ancestor of the new expressway.’’
KAHU FLUTEY FROM OTAKI
‘‘Yes definitely Maori names given by the Manawhenua of the Kapiti Coast. Their whenua before it was colonised. Being Maori I would say to people who have questioned the use of Maori names, what a wonderful opportunity for you to increase your knowledge and understanding and to learn correct pronunciation of the other official language of Aotearoa.’’
HELEN RYAN FROM RAUMATI BEACH
‘‘Love to see the road named after a person who has contributed enormously to the progress and prosperity of the region. I’ve tried to find some on Google, but not much luck. Some I know of are the Todd Foundation, Sir Noel Robinson (airport), Peter Jackson (from Pukerua Bay) - they have all made significant contributions and should be recognised especially as they don’t seek the recognition! There are already (appropriately) many Maori names.’’
KARLYMURCH FROM WAIKANAE
‘‘I live on the highway and have done for 20 years, we call it Main Road North or Main Road South. Can we just leave it as is?’’