-
Source: ONE News -
Related
The New Zealand Geographic Board will this week decide over whether Wanganui should have the letter "h" added.
The spelling of the city's name has been subject to controversy over the past two months after iwi group Te Runanga o Tupoho's applied to change the name to Whanganui.
A formal complaint was laid with police after the bronze W was removed from two signs on the council's office buildings and replaced with a plastic "Wh".
Mayor Michael Laws, an arch opponent of any change, has also had a rock thrown through a window of his house.
Laws says the argument should have been resolved in 2006 when a referendum was held.
"The overwhelming results, 82%, voted for Wanganui's name to remain as it has been for 170 years."
New Zealand Geographic Board would consider the referendum, secretary Wendy Shaw says.
"While the board gives considerable weight to those (majority) views, it must also weigh those up against its statutory functions regarding spelling and original Maori place names," she says.
Past decisions had generally favoured community views, she says.
Te Runanga o Tupoho head Den Mair says he is "quietly confident" the name would be changed.
The board will decide the issue on Friday and announce its decision on Monday morning.
Latest NZ News Video
-
ONE News Minute 9am update: May 26 (1:00)
-
Kids cough up $14m for Government (1:50)
-
Education ministry 'barbaric' (1:55)
