Wanganui District's name will officially be changed to Whanganui District, the Government has announced.
The Government decision recognises that Wanganui has no meaning in te reo Maori, Land Information Minister Louise Upton says.
"It will also ensure the district name is consistent with the official name of the river and town," she says.
The Geographic Board had recommended the change as well as local council, iwi and public submitters, Ms Upton says.
"The Governor-General has now made an Order in Council to change the local authority name under the Local Government Act 2002 so that the change to the district name can occur," she says.
In 2009, the Geographic Board ruled the city of Whanganui should be spelt with an 'h' as it was the correct spelling. In 2012, both Wanganui and Whanganui were deemed acceptable.
Ms Upton says the culture and heritage of New Zealand communities should be protected and ensuring place names are correct is an important part of this.
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