A bid to stop Wanganui's district health board from supporting the "h" in our city's name failed at yesterday's board meeting, but not before some heated debate.
It means the board - which carries the "h" in its title - will be making a submission calling for a change of spelling to the city's name.
The issue had been before board members previously but yesterday's agenda item took formalised it but not before some spirited discussion around the board table.
Initially the motion supporting the "h" was moved by Philippa Baker-Hogan and seconded by Ailsa Stewart. But that was promptly countered by a procedural motion from Michael Laws (seconded by Clive Solomon) that the "matter lie on the table".
Had that succeeded then the matter would have been off the agenda probably for good. Board chair Kate Joblin said the board "wasn't in the habit of relitigating".
As it was, the procedural motion failed with only Mr Laws, Mr Solomon and Alan Anderson supporting it.
Voting against it were Mrs Baker-Hogan, Ms Stewart, Rana Waitai, PJ Faumui, Ormond Stock and Nancy Tuaine.
When the original motion was put, only Messrs Laws and Anderson voted against it, with Mr Solomon joining the majority.
Mrs Baker-Hogan said she believed the city's name was misspelt.
"It's appropriate we make a submission, because our relationship with iwi is very important to this board," she said.
Mr Solomon asked why this was a matter that should concern the board in the first place.
"I'm not saying it isn't important, but I still don't understand why it's a matter we should be making a submission about," he said.
Philip Meyer, one of two Crown monitors on the board, said the DHB was a major stakeholder in the city and district and was entitled to have a view.
"It's legitimate for this board to express an opinion," Mr Meyer said.
Mr Anderson said it was an issue that should not be the business of the board.
"It's divisive, and it's got nothing to do with this board," he said.
Mr Laws said he was surprised the board was getting involved in something that was not health-related.
"The people of the city were never asked when the health board decided to drop an `h' into its name," he said.
After his procedural motion was lost, Mr Laws got upset when board chair Kate Joblin would not let him speak to the original motion.
Mr Laws: "This is just racism. When are non-Maori going to have a say on this?
"Given you [the board] have consulted with the treaty partners, when did you discuss this with any non-Maori treaty partners before this came before the board?" he asked.
Ms Joblin said it had been discussed by board members before, and the debate was over.
DHB supports 'H' in Wanganui
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