The prominence of the Maori language in new signs welcoming visitors to Wanganui has drawn an angry reaction from some Wanganui District councillors and an apology from the mayor.
The new signs show a paddler canoeing down the Whanganui River, with the words "Haere mai ki Whanganui ... Welcome to Wanganui".
There are seven new signs - at Airport Rd, four on SH3 at Marangai, Marybank, Maxwell and Great North Rd, and two on SH4 at Raukawa Falls and Riverbank Rd.
At Monday's council meeting, Councillors Michael Laws and Ray Stevens complained about the "lack of process" in approving the signs, and about the prominence of the Maori greeting above the English greeting.
Mr Laws said he objected to the signs because the Maori greeting took precedence.
"I don't have a problem with the Maori greeting - it's the prominence of it I dislike. It means that the first way you see Wanganui spelled is with the H.
"This is a contradiction of the will of the Wanganui people."
Mr Stevens said he didn't "mind it being in Maori but, like every government department [sign], the Maori should be tagged in behind".
Councillor Allan Anderson said the signs were fantastic, although he also had concerns about the Maori greeting being at the top.
"I don't speak Maori and I believe the languages should be swapped around because the majority of people who see it won't speak Maori. But I won't die in a ditch over it."
Councillor Rob Vinsen said the wording on the sign complied with council policy that Wanganui be spelled without an H unless it refers to the river or National Park, or is written in the Maori language.
He said objections by Mr Laws and Mr Stevens were "an attempt to gain some political mileage by raising the H debate".
Mr Laws and Mr Stevens said they also objected to the lack of process in choosing the sign design.
"What happened to democracy and the resolutions of council?" Mr Stevens asked.
Mr Laws accused Mayor Annette Main and chief executive Kevin Ross of "unilaterally cutting across council policy".
"The last time we chose new welcome signs was two years ago and there was considerable debate around the council table. The way we promote ourselves is always part of council decisions."
Ms Main said council had approved new signs, which were due for renewal, in July. "Are you telling me that in previous councils, councillors approved the actual design of these signs?"
Councillors confirmed that was the case.
"I never imagined councillors would be involved in the details of these signs," Ms Main said. "When we approved these at the end of July, I thought that was end of the matter for this council and that design was up to council officers."
Ms Main apologised for not following process.
Meanwhile, the signs will remain.