-
Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
A battle over the spelling of Wanganui is causing a huge rift
between residents.
Local Maori want an "h" returned to the city's name, while Mayor
Michael Laws is leading opposition to the change.
On Tuesday, Wanganui River Maori held a solemn procession to city hall from the Moutoa Gardens, holding placards calling for the name change.
They say it is just another battle for recognition, which they say began with their historic occupation of Moutoa Gardens 14 years ago.
They have now applied to the Geographic Board to change the spelling of Wanganui to Whanganui, to what they say is the original Maori spelling.
Ken Mair, a Wanganui Maori, says the inclusion of the letter h gives the word meaning and is clear in regard to history.
But a referendum held two-and-a-half years-ago showed most people in the city were against change.
The h, whether of not its included in the spelling of Wanganui, will not make any difference to its pronunciation though.
Maori in this part of the country pronounce 'wh' as in 'where' but local Maori say without the h the word loses its meaning.
ONE News spoke to Te Karere presenter and Maori language expert Scotty Morrison, who believes they should consider the inclusion of the letter h.
"With regards to respect for the language, with regards to respect for the requests of the local people, the people whose language it is, then its very important the name changes," says Morrison.
Mayor Laws called a special council meeting on Tuesday afternoon to decide on an official response.
He also called on the council to resist the attempt by Maori to sabotage the democratic wishes of the Wanganui community.
"Wanganui doesn't belong to one ethnic group. It never did!," Laws said.
Not everyone agreed, with some councillors voting in favour of the change.
Rob Vinsen, a Wanganui councillor who disagreed with his mayor, said the name change should be allowed as it was a mistake of the past and the time had come to correct it.
But in the end, the council voted seven votes to keep the current spelling and they will be delivering that message to the Geographic Board next month.
