Spelling of mountain's name sparks row

Spelling mistakes aren't usually the stuff of heated public meetings, but all that is likely to change in Whangarei tomorrow.

Whangarei Act Party list MP Muriel Newman has called a public meeting over the spelling of a local mountain.

Mrs Newman wants the mountain to keep its present spelling -- Parahaki -- and says a large number of residents feel the same way.

But many Whangarei Maori, including Ngati Hine and Whangarei kaumatua Raumoa Kawiti, say the mountain's name is Parihaka.

Maori say the name has been spelt incorrectly and it should be amended accordingly.

Mr Kawiti will attend tomorrow's meeting, and is calling on other Maori to do the same.

The mountain's spelling has ignited strong feeling in the community, with some residents labelling the proposed change "politically correct".

The New Zealand Geographic Board has provisionally approved the change and called for public submissions which close on June 3.

Mr Kawiti said he believed Mrs Newman was using the mountain's spelling to start her election campaign.

"There are other important issues around us here in Whangarei but she's got to go around Maori bashing."

But Mrs Newman said she was holding the meeting because many people felt strongly about the issue but were confused by the consultation process.

"It will be my intention to encourage as many people as possible who feel strongly to put in their own submissions," she said.

Mrs Newman believed the spelling should not change, saying she had seen maps dating back to the 1850s with the spelling Parahaki.

"There's a lot of people who are saying 'good on you' because they feel very strongly. I think they feel powerless."

Mrs Newman had surveyed about 2000 people and found 94 per cent opposed the change of spelling of the mountain.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)