Hon Louise Upston
Minister for Land Information
17 November 2015
‘H’ to be added to Wanganui District name
The spelling of Wanganui District will be corrected to ‘Whanganui District’ – reflecting the views of the Wanganui
District Council (WDC), local iwi and public submitters, Land Information Minister Louise Upston said today.
“Having reviewed the WDC’s proposal, all public submissions and other materials I’ve agreed that the spelling of the
local authority district name should be corrected,” Ms Upston says.
“The Governor-General has now made an Order in Council to change the local authority name under the Local Government Act
2002 so that the change to the district name can occur.”
The move to amend the district name is supported by local and neighbouring iwi, and the Minister’s decision confirms the
New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa’s recommendation.
“This decision recognises that ‘Wanganui’ has no meaning in te reo Māori, and that ‘Whanganui’ has a number of
traditions in Māori oral history. It will also ensure the district name is consistent with the official names of the
river and town.
“We all have a role to play in helping to protect the culture and heritage of New Zealand’s communities. Ensuring place
names are spelled correctly, so the stories behind them can be remembered and celebrated, is an important part of this.”
ends