Editorial: Right decision has been made on Napier War Memorial

Mana has been restored to the Napier War Memorial Centre, writes Kim Gillespie. Photo / File

A rose by any other name may well smell as sweet, but could you find it on Google?

The ongoing saga of the former Napier War Memorial Conference Centre has been the source of much debate.

Especially when, two years ago, the words "war memorial" were removed from its name for seemingly commercial reasons, leaving us with the rather bland-sounding Napier Conference Centre. Yes, it does what it says on the tin, but a bit of imagination wouldn't have gone astray. (Also, if it wasn't going to be a war memorial, why not name it in honour of a favourite son or daughter of the Bay?)

A council vote this week means the name will now change to the Napier War Memorial Centre.

There were concerns that not having the word "conference" in the name would be an "impediment" to marketing the facility.

And while the suggestion from Katie Nimon that the facility be renamed the Napier War Memorial and Conference Centre certainly wasn't terrible, the right decision was made in the end.

Calling it the Napier War Memorial Centre instead of the Napier Conference Centre restores its purpose and mana as a place of tribute and honour.

Yes, it has a practical function as a conference centre, and all marketing materials should and will make this clear.

But what's also clear is that a war memorial is a place of respect, a fine establishment where conference-goers would be honoured to gather.

This name change and the apologies that have come with it may be overdue, but are most welcome.