Plans to reclaim suburb's lost name

Bay of Plenty Times

26 May, 2015 08:30 PM3 mins to read

David Hart wants to clarify Greerton's boundaries and return to the original title of Greerton Village. Photo / Ruth Keber

Greerton's new mainstreet manager is hoping to reclaim the boundaries of the suburb and resurrect its former name, Greerton Village.

David Hart, who has been the Greerton mainstreet manager for the past six months, wants to clarify the area's boundaries.

"There are three maps which all disagree with each other. On Google maps, you get the post office map which says Greerton Hall is not in Greerton, Greerton Library is not in Greerton and Greers Pub is not in Greerton ... but Greerton Village has always had that identity to it," he said.

See what Greerton locals think about the proposal below

Mr Hart said originally the suburb was called Greerton Village but when Tauranga expanded south the area became known as simply Greerton. "Everybody knows it is Greerton Village but for some reason official sources beg to differ."

We used to have the village name so really it's not a case of giving it a new name, it's kind of reclaiming something that was lost.
David Hart

While Mount Maunganui and Tauranga had natural features, Greerton had always had its community feel.

"We in Greerton Village have got the racecourse, we would be the southern gateway to Tauranga but we don't have those natural landmarks, but what we do have is a village ... with a community vibe that is quite amazing.

"We used to have the village name so really it's not a case of giving it a new name, it's kind of reclaiming something that was lost."

Mr Hart said there was a difference between a suburb and a village and Greerton would benefit from the name change.

"It's always had a village feel, people live nearby and walk to and from the centre.

"They live their daily life in the village with their friends, they bump into each other in the shops, supermarket, cafes, they come to community events and are very engaged."

It was also the area's main selling point to outsiders, he said.

"We are lucky to have held on to the village vibe and by reinstating that name I think we are stating this is who we are and who we want to keep being.

"It's about accentuating the positive, celebrating our history and encouraging people to look into that history."

Mr Hart said a survey needed to be conducted with local residents to figure out which map best illustrated their notion of what Greerton Village was, then propose a name change to council.

If council supported the idea, the matter would be taken to central government.

Your view: Should Greerton's name be changed to Greerton Village?