Names mooted for state highway

Amohia St, Paraparaumu, pictured, won't be renamed in the State Highway 1 revocation process because of its distinct local character and history. The name Rimutaka St will also be retained.

Two community boards have recommended names for the renaming of the old State Highway 1 from Paekakariki to Peka Peka.

Kapiti Coast District Council had invited the public to have their say on possible names for the highway, which generated a lot of suggestions from the public.

The feedback was sought in preparation for when the NZ Transport Agency hands over responsibility for the highway to the council and the road becomes a fit-for-purpose local road.

Paraparaumu Raumati Community Board's preference, based on public feedback is for separate names - Main Rd South and Main Rd North as well as having an overarching name for the roading corridor.

Waikanae Community Board's preference is Main Rd for the section from Waikanae River to Peka Peka Rd, Horrobin for the Hadfield Rd section, and Matene Te Whiwhi for the Peka Peka Rd to Te Kowhai Rd section.

It also agreed there should be an overarching highway name and endorsed that proposal to council.

Both the board's preferences have been forwarded to council which will make the final decisions.

Meanwhile Cr Jackie Elliott, pinpointing the corridor as a whole, said 75 per cent of submitters expressed a preference for one name.

"I totally agreed as we have to be able to entice visitors into our district, rather than just over it on the expressway, to support continued economic viability for many many businesses along the stretch.

"But the process of each community board making their own recommendations, and a short list of seven new names, was not conducive to cohesive decision making, or a one name outcome.

"I listened and publicly proposed the Kapiti Coast Highway as a name.

"This proved very popular with the public, and I had a lot of support and excitement, but without the support of all community boards this wasn't going to become a reality.

"Since then, I have been in discussion with national road designers Beca who have recommended the name Kapiti Coast Byway.

"I am firmly of the belief that our economic development and continued strong business activity along the length of the 'old main road' is at risk if we do not give it a name that we are able to use as a marketing brand.

"I'll be encouraging our visitors, local, domestic and international to come visit us on the Kapiti Coast Byway."

The process for renaming SH1 is being funded by the NZ Transport Agency as part of the council's SH1 revocation agreement with the agency.