However, rather than the well-heeled fashionistas usually associated with the plush Beverly Hills shopping precinct, Wanaka's Rodeo Dr is more likely to be populated with elderly residents, with the new road forming the main entrance to a multimillion-dollar retirement village.
Aspiring Lifestyle Village property developer Peter Gordon, a former Cardrona Valley farmer, told community board members the road's name would retain the historic links as the traditional home of the popular Wanaka Rodeo.
An application from the developers of Aspiring Lifestyle Village to name the main entranceway to the fledgling retirement subdivision Rodeo Dr was knocked back a month ago on the grounds the new road did not comply with a council policy on road names.
Rodeo Dr was a road on a privately-owned and gated subdivision, and there was no reason for the council to stop Rodeo Dr from being named to recognise its historic former use, Mr Gordon said.
"Maybe it's just because I haven't been to LA, but we certainly don't think it is an inappropriate name," he said.
