Media Release
10 April 2006

What’s in a name?
Council consults on different options for Flat Bush town centre.

Manukau City Council is to consult further on possible alternative names for New Zealand’s largest planned development and the city’s newest town centre, currently known as Flat Bush.

The town centre will form the hub of the community in an area expected to be home to at least 40,000 by 2020. The name needs to reflect the identity of that community.

Flat Bush was chosen in 2000 when community nominations were formally sought via consultation with the public, local Iwi and the Otara and Clevedon Community Boards.

Many people have since moved into the area and the name of the town centre has prompted public discussion, resulting in this second round of consultation.

Council invites feedback on the current name as well as alternative suggestions.

The New Zealand Geographic Board will have the final decision on the name awarded and has adopted certain rules as the guiding principals for any proposals. These state that:

- Names with historic geographic or particular local significance are generally acceptable
- Names of early explorers and discovers, early settlers, surveyors and geologists and early notable people or events connected with the area are generally acceptable.
- Names of living persons will not be considered.
- When naming areas after people, the surname is chosen
- Descriptive names can be used providing there is no duplication of the name in a neighbouring area.
- The use of the possessive form, for example, Handy’s Bay, is to be avoided.
- Names in local usage normally take precedence, but may be subject to spelling corrections or alteration if original names (other Maori or European) are discovered.
- Names considered to be in poor taste are avoided.

The closing date for consultation is Friday 12 May 2006. Feedback and suggestions should be sent in writing to:

Manukau City Council, Private Bag 76917, Manukau City
Attention: Leonie Osborne

Ends

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