Word on the STREETS
Show me a sign, says Kevin, and I’ll point you to a New Zealand hero!
I was surprised to find that 31 Kiwi Milnes, not a common name, have died for their country
As we approach Anzac Day, I want to share a view of mine regarding remembering our war dead.
I think a street somewhere in the country should be named after each New Zealander who has given their life to this country in battle. The street signs would stand out, each displaying a red poppy. I think that’s the very least we can do for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It would also give meaning to our street names, most of which currently mean very little.
I hear you saying, “That’s impractical. Some 18,000 New Zealanders have lost their lives in war. We can’t change 18,000 street names.”
Fair enough, I accept that. But I think a satisfactory compromise would be we don’t have a street named after every individual, but every surname. That would cut down the number hugely. For example, horrifyingly, more than 350 Kiwis by the name of Smith appear on our Roll of Honour as having died in action. So
I’m suggesting, Smith Street 350 (poppy). I was surprised to find that 31 Kiwi Milnes, not a common name, have died for their country.
I don’t know the precise number of streets we would need to do this, but I estimate we’d need about 800. How would we find streets to change? Here’s a start.
There are 218 North, West, East and South Streets in New Zealand. Totally meaningless. Almost as meaningless, we have 110 Kings and Queens Streets, 45 Princes Streets and 23 Princess Streets. If you’re a royalist, I’m not suggesting we get rid of all the Kings and Queens, Princes and Princess Streets. Just trim them back a bit. We’ve moved on. Don’t start me on all the Church Streets (98), Station Streets (84), River Streets
(83), Railway Streets (76),
Mill Streets (75) and School Streets (71).
Add all them up and that’s nearly 900 meaningless, uninspiring street names that, in my view, have been around far too long. I haven’t even mentioned all the Hill Streets, Hall Streets, Domain Streets and so on. Yet there are no streets specifically named after the vast number of brave young New Zealanders who have died for this country. We could do so much better!