TVNZ 'H' stand anti-democratic - Laws

Wanganui or Whanganui - you choose

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Compromise over 'h' in Wanganui

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Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws took umbrage tonight at TVNZ's decision that it would go with the "H".

He condemned a TV One News editorial decision - announced during its primetime bulletin - that it would spell Wanganui as ''Whanganui" and pronounce it as "Faa-ganui" - as "anti-democratic, PC garbage".

Lands Minister Maurice Williamson announced today the name of the city, a subject of hot debate, could be spelled with or without an "H".

"My intention to assign alternative names for the city allows people to choose the name they prefer," he said.

"My expectation is that all official documents will be able to use either form of the spelling as the official city name. However, Crown agencies will be expected to move to the name Whanganui over time."

Mr Laws said TVNZ's decision was the problem he had raised with Mr Williamson.

"That unelected liberals will deliberately subvert the democratic will of Wanganui people. Instead of respecting the duality, TV One intend to ignore it," he said.

"Given that the 'h' is practically silent, to introduce an 'F' to the pronunciation is wholly wrong. Did TVNZ consult the Wanganui community? It most certainly did not. Neither local Maori nor non-Maori use the 'F'."

Mr Laws said that road signage remained an issue.

"If there is to be signage then it should reflect the intent of allowing both spellings. At the moment, the council will resist the intended legislation if it does not clarify that matter.

"There are two heritages here, not one," Mr Laws said.

"I had hoped this issue might be settled, but TV One News rather proves that it is not."

- NZPA