The spelling of Wanganui District will be corrected to include an 'h' after a regulation was signed off today.
The Land Information Minister Louise Upston said her decision recognised that 'Wanganui' without an 'h' has no meaning in te reo Māori, and that 'Whanganui' with the extra letter has a number of traditions in Māori oral history.
Te Tai Hauauru MP Adrian Rurawhe said the name correction was hugely important to iwi.
"It's been a long, arduous battle to get the name corrected and the spelling corrected." the Labour MP said.