A debate at a Central Otago District Council meeting today has decided to keep the name the same despite a submission by Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puteketeraki which wanted to change the name to Māniatoto.
Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan was the only member who wanted to change the name.
The Rūnaka had argued the Maniototo name made no sense and the rūnaka wanted to honour te reo Māori .
But the Maniototo Community Board at a meeting on Monday night wanted to keep the name the same.
Cr Stu Duncan, who represented the Maniototo ward, said at today's meeting it had been a big debate in the district for the community and plenty of passion had been displayed.
He said the council would be going against democracy if the council ignored the board decision.
Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan said he had become very aware of the issue over the past two years and said it was simply fixing a mistake which had been made many years ago.
He was the lone councillor to vote against the motion to keep the name the same.
The council has used Māniatoto in official documents for the past two years.
