Today, the Geographic Board decided that the town of Wanganui should be spelt with an “h”: Whanganui. This will make it the same as the river which flows through the town. The port is on the mouth of the river. The town is on the west coast of the North Island, about 200km north of Wellington.
This decision has annoyed the mayor, Michael Laws. He says that this is the way the town has spelt the name for the last 170 years so it should stay this way. In a referendum of local people recently, 77% said they wanted the spelling to stay the same.
However, the local Maori say that a mistake was made 170 years ago and it’s time the mistake was corrected. “Wanga” has no meaning in Maori. “Whanga”, however, means bay or harbour and “nui” means “large”.
Now the Minister for Land Information, Maurice Williamson, has to make the final decision. Whatever he decides, will not please everybody.
Listen also to April 22nd 2009 NZ Place Names