'H' day for councillors

Councillors were playing it close to their chests yesterday when asked for views on a name change for the Wanganui District Council.

Councillors today will discuss putting the "h" in Wanganui.

Mayor Annette Main said the options for altering the name of the council had now been confirmed by the New Zealand Geographic Board "so it is time for the council to make a firm decision which will provide certainty to the community and iwi".

The Chronicle rang all councillors yesterday afternoon and, of the seven who could be contacted, six declined to say prior to the meeting if they supported putting the "h" in the council name - Jason Granville, Martin Visser, Philippa Baker-Hogan, Charlie Anderson, Jenny Duncan and Annette Main.

Rob Vinsen said, while he personally supported Wanganui being spelt with an "h" and would vote so in a referendum, he did not "have the right to change the name of the council". He was disappointed to see the issue on the agenda again.

In a press release, Ms Main said the request to change the name was made in December 2013 by the Tupoho Working Party, which includes representatives from Tupoho and the council. It has been endorsed by Tamaupoko Link, a working party of Tamaupoko and council representatives. "The Tupoho Working Party resolved that it be recommended that the council considers changing the spelling of Wanganui District Council to Whanganui District Council and to change the spelling of all other entities under its control, ie council-controlled organisations, from Wanganui to Whanganui."

The options for changing the name of the council are via an act of Parliament (a member's bill or a local bill) or through the process set out in the New Zealand Geographic Board (Nga Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa) Act, 2008.

Since December 2009, when then Minister of Land Information Maurice Williamson announced both spellings would be gazetted as official alternatives, use of Whanganui by individuals, businesses and organisations has gradually increased. Ms Main said: "This is a clear indication that relationships and times have changed. The council itself has seen increased use of Whanganui by our partner organisations, such as Safer Whanganui, Whanganui Digital Leaders Forum and Whanganui & Partners.

"We have active and close relationships with Whanganui iwi and these are continuing to develop for the benefit of the whole community."

She said if the council voted to apply to the Geographic Board to alter the name, there would be public consultation.

"If it is decided to change the council's name there would be some costs, but this could be implemented over time as existing stationery and signage would be replaced as necessary," Ms Main said.