Laws: Sharples does not understand democracy

An animated Michael Laws at a press conference in Wanganui yesterday. Photo / NZPA

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws has accused Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples of not understanding the concept of democracy.

His accusation came as part of a mounting war of words over yesterday's decision by the New Zealand Geographic Board that the city's name should have an h added to it.

The spelling is already used for Whanganui National Park and the Whanganui River.

The board decided the spelling be changed to Whanganui after local iwi committee Te Runanga O Tupoho petitioned for the change. Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson has the final say.

Mr Laws dismissed the call by Dr Sharples for Wanganui residents to "embrace" the decision and accept "the gift" as "a powerful unifying force in the life and future of the city".

Dr Sharples said he could understand that generations had adopted the name Wanganui and identified with it, but called upon its citizens to "show pride in Maori history and embrace Maori language, treasures which make us unique on the global scene".

Mr Laws said Dr Sharples "plainly does not understand the concept of democracy. Or any culture that is not Maori".

"Wanganui people have twice and overwhelmingly demonstrated their desire (to retain the h), and we have a culture of our own that also requires and deserves recognition."

Mr Laws said both names had co-existed since 1991 - neither the council nor the community had sought to declare one choice as the "winner" and the other as the "loser".

"It is deceitful to suggest that any disunity has emanated from any other than the quarter - those who wanted to campaign against that co-existence," Mr Laws said.

Last night iwi committee spokesman Ken Mair said it was not a question of majority rules, but simply correcting an historical spelling mistake.

But Mr Laws rejected that view.

"How can it be? Historical research suggests that this current spelling was the original written transcription," he said.

"That was in 1837 and it assumed its own identity and mana from thenceforth. In essence, Wanganui assumed an identity independent of its Maori origins."

Mr Laws said the council would appeal directly to the Government over the decision.

- NZPA