New town goes flat on 'Bush' name

A new town being built on the outskirts of Auckland is trying to change its name because of associations with Otara and the New York ganglands in a 70s movie.

The Botany Community Board wants the name of the new town of Flat Bush changed to Ormiston, because of concern about the impact the name has on property values.

Chair of the Botany Community Board Michael Williams said there was already an area called Flat Bush in Otara, which was separated from the new town by three suburbs.

"The act governing place names precludes councils from duplicating names so we don't believe the board would accept that name for this new area," he said.

Manukau City Council's environment committee last night decided to take the issue to consultation, although Mayor Sir Barry Curtis has said there is no reason to change the name.

Flat Bush, located just south of the new Botany settlement, will cover 1700 hectares and is estimated to have a population of 40,000 by 2020.

Mr Williams said that when the Manukau City Council chose the name there were no residents to consult.

He said part of the community's concern was the impact of the Flat Bush name on property prices.

Real estate agents were reluctant to use the name on listings because buyers associated it with Otara.

There was also a movie made in the 1970s about gangs in New York, called The Lords of Flatbush, that might put people off, he said.