Māori Party celebrates correction of Whanganui District name

The Māori Party is commending the decision to correct the spelling of Whanganui.

Land Information Minister Louise Upston has agreed to the spelling of Wanganui District which will be corrected to Whanganui District as a result of reviewing public and iwi submissions, and the local District Council’s proposal to change its name.

The Māori Party has been advocating for some time for the name to be corrected.

“We are pleased that the district name will align with the official names of the river and city. It’s important that the correct name is recognised because these names carry mana but also the history of the people,” says Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox says “the decision shows a respect to mana whenua as well as te reo Māori. It’s important that correct place names and their history can be passed down to future generations.”

The move to change the district name is supported by local and neighbouring iwi.

The Governor-General has made an Order in Council to change the authority name under the Local Government Act 2002.

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