Maniototo Community Board members have voted to keep the spelling of their ward as is following an extraordinary meeting on Monday night.

Board members voted four to one, to not have the spelling changed to Māniatoto, but the topic will still be discussed further at today’s Central Otago District Council (CODC) meeting.

Discussion around the spelling comes after CODC received a letter from Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, requesting the spelling be “corrected” when referred to by the council.

The group wants the change acknowledged as part of the Representation Review 2024.

Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki is affiliated with two main hāpu groups of Kāi Tahu and are active participants in promoting the integrity of Kāi Tahu culture in the landscape.

Suzanne Ellison, who is Runaka manager, said following advice of te reo experts, the spelling should be Māniatoto wherever it is used by the council.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan reminded community board members that while their advice to council wasn’t determinative, it was “hugely influential”.

“More important than that, I think, is I’ve had people at various times in the Maniototo say they don’t want to change the name of their business. This isn’t about this at all,” he said.

“What this is, whether the mistake that could be said council made back in 1989 when it named the Maniototo Ward with what is not the te reo spelling - whether that mistake is going to continue or not because it only affects the name of the ward and name of the board from there. It doesn’t change anything other than that.”

CODC group manager business support Saskia Righarts said as part of the representation review, council had received a formal submission, which had prompted Monday night’s discussion.

“ . . . and they have asked to be heard in front of council on Wednesday. It wasn’t part of our initial proposal but council . . . on the basis of the submission, or the basis of the board's view tonight, can elect to change that so it will be considered in light of the submission that has since been received.”

To hear further discussion on the topic and many others related to Central, tune in to Wednesday's council meeting online.

Read more: Maniototo spelling up for discussion tonight