New Zealand is nothing if not politically correct.

The New Zealand Geographic Board has recommended that the city of Wanganui be renamed to Whanganui.

This is, of course, nonsense on stilts.

Given that the Maori language had no written form until the arrival of white settlers in the 18th and 19th century, the original spelling varied wildly, based either on creative oral transcription or the marginal literacy of the scribe.

It’s been Wanganui since 1872

But changed it must be, despite overwhelming (82%) public sentiment for its retention.

And it doesn’t stop there, of course.

Headline in the Nelson Mail:

So it’s going to be what – Nhelson? Or Nelshon?

W*at the #$%&?