Ken Mair wants Wanganui's district councillors to carefully consider the "h" dilemma when they meet for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the spelling of the city's name today.
Wanganui iwi Te Runanga o Tupoho has lodged an application with the New Zealand Geographic Board to change the city's name from Wanganui to Whanganui.
The hearing of that application is likely to take place on March 27.
As part of the information-gathering process, the board has asked the council to provide views, feedback, comments and advice on the proposed name change, and specify whether it supports it or not.
Mr Mair, Tupoho spokesman, said he believed councillors would be divided on the issue.
"I think some see it as being pretty sensitive politically and some are basing it on principle and, if that's the case, I don't think they will be unified."
However, Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws did not anticipate much debate and said councillors were likely to respect the wishes of the community, which voted overwhelmingly to retain the current spelling during Referendum 06 by almost four to one.
Mr Laws strongly opposes adding the "h" and said councillors would probably agree to honour the outcome of the referendum.
"I'm not anticipating major objection. I would be extremely surprised if any councillor wished to fly in the face of community sentiment on this issue."
The agenda for today's council meeting recommends that the matter be discussed and that the council's views and advice be relayed to the Geographic Board.
It is unclear what will happen if the council is divided, but a vote on whether councillors support or oppose the name change is likely.
Mr Mair said Mr Laws did not speak for the entire council. "His leadership is not about being unified."
"It's a form of dictatorship, and it's like `it's my way or I'll shoot you down'."
Tupoho was "quietly confident" the application to change the name would be successful.
"We're finding that a lot of people are realising it's about respect for each other and respect for someone's name.
"It's not about who has the biggest numbers [the referendum results]. It's about who's correct and who's incorrect and the name is spelled wrong and it should be rectified."
Whanganui v Wanganui: Council's huge decision
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