Otaki School's letters to Michael Laws

Rautini

Greetings to the Council

My name is Rautini Thompson from Otaki School and the Te Korowai Whakamana class.
I am very angry with you all, put the H back in Whanganui, e.g this name is the name of the land first. I know it is only a name, but to disallow the letter H being put back now is condescending to everyone and the Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty is a gift that guides New Zealand in the maori language, the aim in which your decisions are based within your discussions.
So be it
Rautini

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Ngarui

This is Ngarui writing to you and I am a girl who is 11 years of age.
I attend Otaki School and I am in Te Korowai Whakamana class.
The subject of my discussion is to change the name Wanganui to Whanganui.
I am very angry with you, and do not support your actions on not changing the name. I also do not support the discussion that money is no the issue as the name is the only topic.
My opinion is to change the name in support of Whanganui maori! It is their land and they are the residents of that area.
The implementation of the Treaty of Waitangi is to look after the treasures of the people of New Zealand, in this case the Whanganui tribal people.
Your decision should be based on the peoples perspective, with changes that uphold the Treaty of Waitangi.
The name of Whanganui needs to be returned and clarified. The translation of "whanga" means "Harbour", and "nui" means "big." Therefore the translation of Whanganui is "Big Harbour." What is the explanation for "wanga?"
So be it

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Narui

Greetings to the Mayor of Whanganui
I am writing to you about the topic of the letter H in the name of Wanganui.
My name is Maria and I am a child from the Otaki school, whom is very angry with what you are saying about the above matter. As you are the mayor of Whanganui you need to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi by ensuring the change is made to the name.
1 Explain, clarify the meaning of the name Whanganui.
2 Take the lead from the Whanganui tribe.
So be it "Listen to the explanation"

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Te Aniwa

Greetings to you Michael Laws
Hello my name is Te Aniwa and I am 11 years of age. My family is originally from the Paraparaumu area and I attend Otaki School.
Put the letter "H" back
We as maori strongly advise you to put the letter "H" back as the translation of the name "Whanga" means harbour and "nui" means big, in other words "Whanganui" means "Big Harbour." There is no meaning to the word "wanga." Therefore, we as maori would like to authorise the "H" being put back to uphold your commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.

Question:
What is the purpose for changing the name of the town of Peter, if you won't change the letter "H?"

See you
Te Aniwa

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Amokura

Hello to you Michael Laws the Mayor of Whanganui
Hello my name is Amokura. I am 12 years of age and I attend Otaki School in Te Korowai Whakamana class.
The topic of this letter is to enable changes to the name of Wanganui to the correct name Whanganui.
I am not happy with the council and I am angry with your ability to challenge this serious subject as this is belittling the authority of maori of that area.
My opinion is to put the letter "H" back into the name of the town Wanganui to Whanganui. I also encourage the Whanganui District Council to put the letter back in the name, and not focus on the costings.

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Te Rangiamohia

My name is Te Rangiam?hia. I am 11 years of age and I am in Te Korowai
Whakamana class at Otaki.
I do not agree with your decision on the name for the town of Whanganui. The Whanganui
Maori are the guardians of Whanganui and will be for some time.
The clarification of the word "Wanganui" is a pakeha word, we do not support having both names.

Yours faithfully
Te Rangiamohia

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Teina

Hello Michael laws
My name is Teina from Otaki School.
The topic of this letter is about the name of the town Wanganui.
In my opinion Wanganui should be Whanganui, as I recognize "Whanganui" to mean "Big Harbour." I do not agree with the council and non-maori decision as this is maori land, hence put the "H" back.

Change the name of the town with the "H" back, please reconsider Michael.