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06 September 2009
PRESS RELEASEE
MICHAEL LAWS
MAYOR
WANGANUI DISTRICT COUNCIL
PRIME MINISTER SAYS ‘H’ DECISION SHOULD BE WANGANUI’S:
MAYOR WELCOMES ASSURANCE
Mayor Michael Laws has said today that a statement from the Prime Minister John Key, on Mr Laws’ Radio Live talkback show, “is a very public assurance that the views of Wanganui people should be paramount in deciding this issue”.
A May 2009 referendum of over 19,000 voters (61% turnout) produced a resounding decision with 77% of voters in favour of retaining the current spelling.
In the radio interview, the Prime Minister tells Mr Laws that “we try and listen to local people wherever we can … yeah, it sounds like [the May referendum result] a strong argument … in the end it should be ultimately a decision for local people”.
A full transcript of the interview can be heard on the Radio Live site -
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/OnairHosts/MichaelLaws/tabid/53/Default.aspx
A decision of the NZ Geographic Board is expected later this month after its earlier proposal to change the name and add an ‘h’ to spell ‘Whanganui’.
However, that decision goes to the Minister of Lands, and ultimately the government, for the final decision.
“This was also going to be a political decision and I welcome that. The NZ Geographic Board is not elected and has no public mandate to alter the heritage and history of Wanganui. It has been ‘Wanganui’ from the first instant.”
Mayor Laws said that the Prime Minister’s public statement “is very welcome and is the appropriate response. This is our city - it must be our decision”.
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