Wanganui may soon get an ''h'', with the New Zealand Geographic Board finding its name is incorrectly spelt.
In a statement today, the board said the public would be given three months to make submissions on the proposed name change.
But Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws said the move would destroy the culture and history of the city.
Te Runanga o Tupoho had submitted a proposal to the board to change the city's name to Whanganui.
Geographic Board chairman Don Grant said there was a ''valid case'' to change the spelling.
''Wanganui, the name given to the town to reflect its position near the mouth of the Whanganui river, was spelt incorrectly and has never been formally gazetted by this Board or its predecessors.
''It is therefore not currently an official New Zealand place name.''
Mr Laws slammed the Board's decision.
''This is a direct attack upon our city and our citizens.''
Mr Laws said the decision was "morally and historically wrong, and will be resisted with all effort and endeavour by the Wanganui District Council and the vast majority of the citizens of Wanganui."
In a 2006 referendum, 18 percent of people voted for the ''h''.
Whanganui means great harbour or expanse of water and was named by Haunui, who came on the Aotea waka more than 600 years ago. Iwi spokesman Ken Mair said the name was considered meaningless without the ''h".
In a statement today, the board said the public would be given three months to make submissions on the proposed name change.
But Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws said the move would destroy the culture and history of the city.
Te Runanga o Tupoho had submitted a proposal to the board to change the city's name to Whanganui.
Geographic Board chairman Don Grant said there was a ''valid case'' to change the spelling.
''Wanganui, the name given to the town to reflect its position near the mouth of the Whanganui river, was spelt incorrectly and has never been formally gazetted by this Board or its predecessors.
''It is therefore not currently an official New Zealand place name.''
Mr Laws slammed the Board's decision.
''This is a direct attack upon our city and our citizens.''
Mr Laws said the decision was "morally and historically wrong, and will be resisted with all effort and endeavour by the Wanganui District Council and the vast majority of the citizens of Wanganui."
In a 2006 referendum, 18 percent of people voted for the ''h''.
Whanganui means great harbour or expanse of water and was named by Haunui, who came on the Aotea waka more than 600 years ago. Iwi spokesman Ken Mair said the name was considered meaningless without the ''h".