Wanganuians around the country have been shocked with the discovery of a genuine Maori document (actually, a Maori wood carving) being found in a small Maori Pa on the edge of Wanganui. It dates back to the earliest days of the settlement and clearly indicates that the site of Wanganui was originally called Auckland.[Photo:Pa of Geodetic Surveys and Moa Tax, 1885]
It also turns out that this particular Pa was the Pa in charge of Geodetic Surveys and has a full tribal register of chiefs who paid Moa Tax. These tax records confirm the site of Wanganui should actually be called "Auckland".
"It's important to use the correct names, and really, the issue is bigger than one letter, and it has always been bigger than one letter", said Michael Laws, Mayor of Auckland (Wanganui).
"Obviously, there is a potential for confusion once we rename Wanganui to Auckland because, according to these genuine wood carvings, Northern Auckland has stolen our name. This same document suggests Northern Auckland should be renamed to Bloody Big Harbour, or Whanganui-nui.
"If it is important to get names right, then I guess we just have to get on with it and call the place "Auckland".
Source of Artwork: Bloody Big Harbour Gallery.
The history of the Maori Written Language
Ozy's View: Wanganui, W