A decision on changing the name of the town Benneydale has been delayed to allow for more consultation.
Photo: RNZ / Susan Strongman
The Maniapoto Māori Trust Board lodged an application with the New Zealand Geographic Board to change the name to Benneydale / Māniaiti.
The proposal was met with widespread opposition in the Waitomo District town.
The Geographic Board's decision has been delayed until 31 May to allow the board to hold more consultation with locals.
Benneydale was a mining town from 1940 named after the mine's undersecretary, Cecil Benney, and the mine's superintendent, Tom Dale.