Most Kiwis don't want 'h' in Wanganui: poll

Wanganui mayor Michael Laws. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Most New Zealanders prefer the retention of the name Wanganui and no change to Whanganui, a poll released today says.

The UMR survey showed 62 per cent preferred Wanganui, 23 per cent Whanganui and 13 per cent were undecided.

The last time the company polled on the same issue 59 per cent wanted Wanganui and 30 per cent wanted the 'h' in the name.

Of Maori polled 50 per cent wanted Whanganui and 37 preferred the 'h' was left out, though UMR said the sample size of Maori voters was too small for "robust" analysis.

Just 16 per cent of National voters wanted a change compared to 31 per cent of Labour voters.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson has to make a final decision on the name after the Geographic Board recommended that the "h" be restored and the name spelt as "Whanganui".

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

The board proposed the spelling be changed to Whanganui after local iwi committee Te Runanga O Tupoho petitioned for the change, a move vehemently opposed by the city's mayor Michael Laws, who labelled the decision "racist".

The UMR poll of 750 people was conducted between September 24 and September 27. It had a margin of error of 3.6 per cent.

- NZPA