‘Europe Lane’ to recognise Capital’s relationship with all European nations

On the day in which the United Kingdom votes whether to remain in the European Union, Wellington City Council has recognised the Capital’s shared history with European nations with the naming of Europe Lane.

At yesterday’s Regulatory Processes Committee, Councillors agreed with a proposal that an unnamed pathway that runs adjacent to Bolton Street Cemetery from Bowen St to Aurora Tce on the east side of the motorway be renamed Europe Lane.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and Mr Michalis Rokas, the European Union's Chargé d’Affaires in New Zealand, discussed ways to make the importance of the European Union more visible in the Capital.

On Europe Day - 9 May 2016 - a European Union flag was flown on the Wellington waterfront and the Council received a proposal to name a street to recognise Wellington’s relationship with the many countries and communities of Europe.

“Europe Lane, a charming pathway with significant European connections, acknowledges the long-standing relationship and shared history between Wellington and Europe dating back to the 19th Century and the more recent relationship between the European Union and New Zealand,” says Mayor Wade-Brown.

“This initiative highlights Wellington’s connection to the world as New Zealand’s Capital City.”

Mr Rokas says: "I am delighted at the City Council's decision to name a lane in the CBD after Europe. The relation between the European Union and New Zealand has indeed flourished and significantly grown in its diversity in recent years, and this is yet another example of our ever closer partnership.

“Europe Lane will further highlight these ties and would also recognise and serve as a reminder of the long-standing historical links between the peoples of Wellington and Europe," says Mr Rokas.

In considering the proposal Council staff consulted with local iwi, NZTA, and Friends of Bolton Street Cemetery. Staff will now ask Land Information NZ to update its national road name database and are arranging notices to all the other organisations that need to be informed.

Work is under way to identify other opportunities to recognise Wellington’s international connections and sister cities.

In 2009 a walkway from Bolton St to the Clifton Tce Cable Car station was named Tokyo Lane to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Embassy of Japan and the 50th anniversary of the Japan Society of Wellington.

ENDS

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