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The proposed new name for the Matakana link road needs to be considered more widely before it can be adopted.
That was the verdict of Rodney Local Board members, who rejected a recommendation to call the road Te Honohono ki Tai Road at their meeting last week in favour of further discussion of the proposed name at a future workshop.
The meeting heard that Te Honohono ki Tai Road – or pathway to the sea – had been gifted to Auckland Transport as a name by Ngati Manuhiri.
However, Wellsford member Colin Smith said it was such an important road that he thought more people should have input into the decision, and he felt the proposed name could cause confusion for drivers.
Kumeu member Geoff Upson said he had publicised the proposed name on social media and the majority of respondents were opposed, though Warkworth member Michelle Carmichael questioned whether that had been appropriate.
“It just instigated some contentious comments,” she said. “The name is about connecting people east to west through kai moana. There’s a bigger picture of respect to be followed here.”
Board deputy chair Louise Johnston said it was a privilege to be gifted the name and going back to a workshop was disrespectful, though Warkworth member Tim Holdgate said further discussion was worth having, as all sides were making valid points.
Members voted by five votes to four to take the issue back to a workshop.
