An original dirt bullock trail was reffered to as the Great South Road. In 1889 at a Council meeting it was proposed and carried "that the Main road from Whale's Creek to its junction with King Street be named Stafford Street." Named after Sir Edward Stafford, formerly M.H.R., for Timaru (he was also Nelsons first super intendant, His free, secular and compulsory education system became the model for New Zealand. At the 1855 election he became a member of the House of Representatives for Nelson, a seat he held until 1868 when, after local disputes, he resigned and became member for Timaru. Learn more here