Ngai Tahu has announced it will push on with an application to officially add the "h" to Wakatipu.
"I'm all for the 'h'. I think it should be corrected; it’s been way too long basically. Change it!"
"I'm definitely for it changing to Whakatipu ... that is its name and it should be called what it was called and not bastardised by colonialists."
"I think it would be appropriate, a good change, something that would be advantageous to the region and its roots and add meaning towards it. I mean businesses would have to phase out maybe their wording but I think it’s a worthwhile change."
"It is good to respect the traditional values, it’s good to be able to unite together all the traditions, especially here — a place that has a lot of cultures. It shouldn't be a big deal as well, it is just a change of a letter."
The iwi will begin to work through the process under the New Zealand Geographic Board in coming months.
Otakou Runaka representative Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, who is working on the name change, said the aim was to have the name recognised by wider New Zealand and restore mana to the original name, which has always been Whakatipu Waimaori.
The Otago Daily Times went out and about in Queenstown yesterday and asked people what they thought of the proposed change in the spelling of the word.
Council landscaper Beth Herren (62), of Queenstown
Christopher Ding (27), of Queenstown
Retail manager Nancy Parson (28), of Queenstown
Juan Panzianello (23), of Queenstown
