Wanganui's 'H' dismissed

Complaints to the Human Rights Commission over the spelling of Wanganui cannot be considered.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said yesterday the actions of Mayor Michael Laws and the Wanganui District Council on the issue were not covered by the discrimination provisions of the Human Rights Act.

Maori activist Ken Mair sent a formal complaint to the commission against Mr Laws and the council.

The complaint was over the council "encouraging the local community to continue to spell Whanganui without the h", which was an insult to Maori.

But Mr de Bres said the issue was not about a Maori name versus a Pakeha name, but only about the correct spelling of the Maori name and it was the commission's view that the dispute clearly fell outside the provisions of the act.

He said complainants could challenge this interpretation by appealing to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

They could also take the matter up with the New Zealand Geographic Board, which last considered the issue in 1991 when it corrected the spelling of the Whanganui River.

- NZPA