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Whanganui River - Source: ONE News -
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Wanganui is a step closer to having the letter 'h' included in its name after the New Zealand Geographic Board ruled the current spelling is incorrect.
Debate over the name has been raging in the city and the decision has infuriated Mayor Michael Laws who has labelled it racist.
But Maori say it's about who they are as descendants of the Whanganui River. Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says it's very important and "some tears will have flowed today on this decision".
Campaigner Ken Mair says it's an issue of identity and integrity.
"We are just very, very thankful that the Geographic Board has come out and supported our application as Wanganui with the "h" in it."
However Laws says it is a "wrong decision by an unelected, unrepresentative, uncaring and unthinking organisation".
The spelling of Whanganui River was changed in 1991 to include the "h" and local iwi have always argued that the city should be spelt the same.
But 77% of those who voted in a council referendum in May wanted to keep the status quo.
Laws says that in attempting to correct what is perceived as a minor injustice to a minority, the board has opted to impose a greater and anti-democratic injustice upon the majority.
There was mixed reaction on the streets, with some telling ONE News the spelling should stay the same because to change would create too much cost and confusion, while others said that spelling it with an "h" gives the city meaning and an identity.
If the change goes ahead items such as graphics, letterheads and business cards will all have to change.
The Geographic Board considered 880 submissions from around the country.
"We had advice from the Maori Language Commission on what the correct spelling of the city's name is and that was the ultimate decider," says Don Grant.
Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson now has three choices:
- He can accept the board's recommendation
- Keep the current spelling
- Or play it safe and adopt both
"It's important that this be done impartially and look at all the evidence that's put before me, listen to the views of the various parties because there's strong views either way," says Williamson.
"There's no time limit so I can take my time over it."
What do you think of the decision? Should there be an "h" or not? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentmenacerec said on 2010-03-27 @ 04:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why havn't these "two referenda" been referenced at all? If the execution of polls is flawed they are meaningless. I expect more from the mayor of a city than to waste time this issue.
Psygone said on 2010-03-26 @ 23:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
I used to find this issue so tedious but now Im different. I am a pakeha who has studied the moari culture and tried to embrace it and the whanganui river people. However the attitude of a few Maori on this issue discusts me and Im sorry for myself that it is turning me into a racist and Im sure the same is happening to many Pakeha. To the select few Maori in WANGANUI who wanted this well done in playing the victim and undoing years of co existence.
Pacifier said on 2010-03-26 @ 21:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think we should bulldoze wanganui to the ground and make it into a lake or celebrate the future of Whanganui. Its simply, if you don't like Whanganui then move somewhere else. Whanganui doesn't belong to you just because you live in the town, it belongs to Maori who say name it properly
PaulsPOV said on 2010-03-26 @ 20:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
Realy is political correctness gone mad. Everyone's view is interesting but ultimately unimportant. Those who should decide are those who live there. If they want Wanganui, then that's exactly what they should get. Recent history is still history & the spelling mistake has been around for a long time. Personally I grew up with Wanganui - But I'm not a local & are happy to leave it up to them. (This should not be decided by a few political activists trying to make a point)
alli kris said on 2010-03-26 @ 20:14 NZDT: Report abusive post
It is interesting how this has played out. The Maori as i recall did not have a written language; the name Wanganui was given as the first written interpretation. Wanganui is the original and thus correct interpretation of its meaning. To change would create a mistake. this is one reason. The people who have lived for generations in Wanganui have an attachment to that place and equal rights to the local iwi. to work against the majority of the residents in favor of a few is undemocratic.