A Whanganui sports organisation has added the letter 'h' to its name, saying the change reflects the positive relationship it has with local iwi.
Chief Executive of Sport Whanganui Danny Jonas said it did not change the way it was said, however the change in spelling demonstrated the respect it had for Whanganui River Iwi and showed attitudes had shifted.
He said he had received positive feedback from members of the community and nothing negative had been said to his face.
Mr Jonas said that positive feeling was what he could sense around the town and had also been embraced by all Sport Whanganui staff.
The organisation has matured and it definitely reflected the working relationship it had with local iwi.
Mr Jonas also said the spelling change fit in well with a joint venture it had with the Inspire Whanganui Health and Fitness Centre.
Danny Jonas believed over time there would either be dual usage of the different spellings - with or without the 'h' or sole usage of the correct Maori spelling.
