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Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws has been accused of "bullying" a group of schoolchildren who wrote to him about the "h" debate.
Seven children from year 7 and 8 classes at Otaki School's kura kaupapa unit wrote letters in Maori to Mr Laws last month, saying they thought the spelling of Wanganui should have an "h".
The seven children wrote in separate letters how they were annoyed that Mr Laws would not change the city's name.
They received a letter back suggesting their teacher be sacked and that they control their anger, the Dominion Post reported.
Mr Laws told them "there are so many deficiencies of both fact and logic in your letters that I barely know where to start".
A fierce opponent of any name change, Mr Laws told the 11 and 12-year-olds: "when your class starts addressing the real issues affecting Maoridom particularly the appalling rate of child abuse and child murder within Maori society, then I will take the rest of your views seriously".
He added: "Perhaps sacking your teacher for allowing such misapprehension to flourish?"
In handwriting at the bottom of his letter, Mr Laws wrote: "PS Controlling your anger might be a start!"
Tim Manukau, father of 12-year-old Ngarui Waahitia-Manukau, said the "bullying undertone" of Mr Laws' response was "unbecoming of his position".
Mr Laws was unrepentant last night. He said the pupils were "put up to it" by their teacher.
Class teacher Selwyn Katene said last night that the children decided to write and he did not tell them what to say.
The Geographic Board will consider the Wanganui spelling on September 16.
In a referendum held in May 77 per cent of voters wanted the spelling to remain as it is, while 23 per cent wanted it changed to Whanganui.
- NZPA
