Is time up for colonial names?
Streets named after figures who served in colonial forces or governments may have had their day in a rural Waikato town.
Lieutenant Colonel William Moule, commander of the 4th Waikato Militia and Inspector of the 4th Armed Constabulary in 1867, is thought to have given Hamilton its name, after Captain John Fane Charles Hamilton.
Moule is one of about 20 military or political figures from New Zealand’s colonial past whom appear on street names in Kihikihi, a rural town in the Waipa¯ district about 34kms south of Hamilton.
Waipa¯ Mayor Jim Mylchreest is anticipating public interest in the town’s street names to change, given the national focus on the Captain Hamilton monument removed from outside the Hamilton City Council.
Mylchreest said while there had not been an official request for change, Kihikihi, population just under 2000, did stand out as an example of a town whose street names didn’t really connect with its community or district.
‘‘Back then they were obviously struggling for names so they went through the British forces and picked out all of the officers, I suppose, and named the streets after them.
‘‘The issue is quiet at the moment but what would start a conversation is, if more information around what those who had streets named after them, actually did.
‘‘Some of them are perceived to be responsible for atrocities but we don’t know why, or really who the person was so it could be a good time to have that conversation.’’
Mylchreest said while Captain Hamilton’s statue had drawn national attention in June, Waipa¯ District Council had already started work on developing a new policy on how it named streets and reserves.
‘‘Until recently, we’ve left the (housing) developers to come up with their own names for new roads.
‘‘They’ve been approved by councillors as long as the names are not offensive or aren’t duplicates.’’
The council shared details of its draft ‘‘Naming Policy’’ but stressed it is still a work in progress, yet to be approved.
Further discussion is needed and more formal consultation will begin in spring.