Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws has been accused of "bullying" a group of schoolchildren who wrote to him about the "h" debate.
Seven children from year seven and eight classes at Otaki School's kura kaupapa unit wrote letters in Maori to Laws last month, saying they thought the spelling of Wanganui should have an "h".
The seven children wrote in separate letters how they were annoyed that Laws would not change the city's name.
They received a letter back suggesting their teacher be sacked and that they control their anger, the Dominion Post reported.
Laws told them "there are so many deficiencies of both fact and logic in your letters that I barely know where to start".
A fierce opponent of any name change, Laws told the 11 and 12-year-olds: "when your class starts addressing the real issues affecting Maoridom particularly the appalling rate of child abuse and child murder within Maori society, then I will take the rest of your views seriously".
He added: "Perhaps sacking your teacher for allowing such misapprehension to flourish?"
In handwriting at the bottom of his letter, Laws wrote: "PS Controlling your anger might be a start!"
Tim Manukau, father of 12-year-old Ngarui Waahitia-Manukau, said the "bullying undertone" of Laws' response was "unbecoming of his position".
Laws was unrepentant on Wednesday night. He said the pupils were "put up to it" by their teacher.
Class teacher Selwyn Katene said on Wednesday night that the children decided to write and he did not tell them what to say.
The Geographic Board will consider the Wanganui spelling on September 16.
In a referendum held in May 77% of voters wanted the spelling to remain as it is, while 23% wanted it changed to Whanganui.
What do you think about this incident? Have your say on our messageboard below:
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentnannyk said on 2009-10-25 @ 14:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
the disservice is being done to innocent children by nothing more than a common bully get over yourself. unreal quite extrodinary when you go to WHANGANUI you see the right spelling of it as well as the other so go figure and how do you know im Maori im also Pakeha you have good day.
abnfamous said on 2009-10-25 @ 11:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
It's a shame that this has blown out of proportion so much that now it's not about whether or not the spelling should be changed. We now have an issue of what seems to be maori vs pakeha. Michael Laws' hands are tied in any case, he was elected to represent a town in which 77% of people don't want to change their town's name, it just so happens that he agrees with the majority.
Baaah said on 2009-10-25 @ 10:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
What the hell is wrong with the Maori!. I am sick of hearing of all their constant complaining, if anyone should be complaining it should be the the other 85% non maori citizens in this country that are sick to death of the crimes and the prison space maori occupy. 77% of people voted to leave Wanganui as it is.........end of bloody story!!
nannyk said on 2009-10-25 @ 06:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
Excuse me I am not being racial or against you having your views. A lot of comments in here are dripping with racism you said entitled well Mr these children are entitled to there views as well,one wonders if it was your children Laws verbally on tv and in writing attacked how you would react. Be honest it is all about reaction there were a lot of ways Laws could have handled this situation, the way he did was'nt it. Bullying comes to mind
nannyk said on 2009-10-25 @ 06:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
Excuse me I am not being racial or against you having your views. A lot of comments in here are dripping with racism you said entitled well Mr these children are entitled to there views as well,one wonders if it was your children Laws verbally on tv and in writing attacked how you would react. Be honest it is all about reaction there were a lot of ways Laws could have handled this situation, the way he did was'nt it. Bullying comes to mind