The Wanganui District Council has conducted a referendum on the spelling of Wanganui. This follows the New Zealand Geographic Board's proposal to add an 'h' to the name. You can read the Council's resolutions on the referendum decision here.
The referendum was held in conjunction with public consultation on the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 and Referendum '09. Visit the referendum site. 77% of those who voted want to retain the 'Wanganui' spelling.
Beaglehole Report
The Council also commissioned an independent report on the spelling from historian Diana Beaglehole. This has been included as part of the submission to the NZ Geographic Board on behalf of the Wanganui community. Submissions closed on 17 August 2009.
Read the full report (updated 20 July 2009)
Diana Beaglehole's CV
Summary of Diana Beaglehole's report
Stirling Report
A report by historian Bruce Stirling formed part of the application by Te Runanga o Tupoho to the NZ Geographic Board. The executive summary of the report is available below:
Stirling report - executive summary
Wilson Report
Che Wilson, who is the chair of Te Reo o Whanganui, was asked by Te Runanga o Tupoho to provide evidence on the origin of the name 'Whanganui' and spelling. A summary of the report is available below:
Wilson report - summary
Council's submission to NZ Geographic Board
The community’s feedback through the referendum was included in a submission to the New Zealand Geographic Board and Minister of Land Information on behalf of the people of Wanganui.
Submission of behalf of Wanganui community
Voting in Referendum '09
Voting papers were posted to everyone registered on the Wanganui electoral roll. People who were not registered, but are eligible to be on the roll, were able to enrol up until the day before voting closed - but they had to pick up a voting form from the Council so they could make a special vote.
If you’re not sure whether you can vote in a referendum, information about enrolment and enrolment forms are available from the Council’s electoral officer, or from any Post Shop, on the web at www.elections.org.nz – or you can ring 0800 36 76 56.
Referendum FAQs
How do I know I’m on the roll?
You can check the elections website at www.elections.org.nz.
You can enrol or amend your enrolment details by:
- Completing an enrolment form available at Post Shops, Public Libraries or Council Offices.
- Calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56).
If I’m on the Maori roll, can I vote?
Yes, your elector details are included in the electoral roll data for local authority elections and referenda.
I did register to vote in the national election in 2007, but now I’ve changed my address. Does this matter?
Yes, you must tell the Registrar of Electors. Simply fill out a change of address form available from any NZ Post Shop or the Election website www.elections.org.nz.
I’m going to be out of town during the voting period, but want to vote. How can I do that?
You could make arrangements for someone to forward your voter mail pack to a nominated address as voting papers are not released prior to an official voting period.
What if I own property in Wanganui but live somewhere else?
Parliamentary electors who are ratepayers for property within the Wanganui District, but whose address as a parliamentary elector is outside the Wanganui District, may enrol as a ratepayer elector. Applications for registration as a ratepayer elector are available from the Council Office, and must be forwarded to the Electoral Officer, Wanganui District Council.
Where there are multiple owners (including owners of Maori land), only one ratepayer is eligible to register as a ratepayer elector. If you own more than one property then you can only nominate one property for a ratepayer elector vote.
If I live outside Wanganui and am not eligible to be a ratepayer elector, how do I have my say on the spelling issue?
You can make a submission directly to the New Zealand Geographic Board. Information about the submissions process can found on the NZ Geographic Board’s website at www.linz.govt.nz. Submissions opened on 14 May 2009 and closed at 5.00pm on 17 August 2009.
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