Road name change to honour Campbell back on agenda

The drive to honour US Open champion golfer Michael Campbell will be stepped up tomorrow.

Porirua City Council will discuss a range of street, reserve and other naming options to recognise the Titahi Bay golfer's achievements.

Local iwi Ngati Toa is reluctant to rename a directional road such as Titahi Bay Rd, though the council will consider a proposal to rename it Michael Campbell Drive.

Ngati Toa preferred the Titahi Bay Golf Club be named after its most famous son.

The iwi also downplayed suggestions that a proposed new sports and events centre be named after the US Open champion, even though Campbell has backed the idea.

Campbell, who visited Porirua 10 days ago, was presented with a road sign which said Michael Campbell Drive, at a civic reception.

It was the council's idea of a good-natured joke, given the controversy, but Campbell appeared delighted at the time and it drew loud applause from the crowd present.

Other ideas the council is considering include naming a future road in Porirua -- which seems remote.

In a report, council chief executive Roger Blakely said there was not a strong likelihood that there would be a new road developed in Titahi Bay "in the foreseeable future".

The council will also consider renaming an existing reserve, or a future reserve or a proposed recreation centre.

But as the recreation centre was still in the process of public consultation, this option did not appear appropriate, Mr Blakely said.

"Michael Campbell has provided an extremely positive role model to the young of this city. His determination and hard work has resulted in him achieving his personal goal," he said in the report.

"He has retained his loyalty to New Zealand and Porirua and serves as an honorary ambassador for our city.

"The council wishes to acknowledge this in an enduring public manner."



- NZPA