The decision that the 158-year-old Franz Josef Glacier name is to stay has been welcomed in the resort.
The New Zealand Geographic Board announced yesterday that both the Franz Josef village and glacier would be retaining the existing spelling of their official dual names.
Consultation opened in November on a proposal to fix a historical typo and correct the name to Franz Joseph.
Franz Josef Glacier was named after then-Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph in 1866, by geologist and founder of the Canterbury Museum, Julius von Haast.
However, over time Joseph was wrongly changed to Josef.
The spelling of the glacier and its namesake town has been widely used since the early 1900s.
The community said the error in spelling had been embraced for such a long time the community had come to accept it, and considered it "part of our unique story".
It submitted the village name was woven into its business identity and names.
Residents feared a negative impact from the change on web-based marketing and search results, and also felt it could cause unnecessary confusion.
The capital cost of a change of name would also place a further burden on businesses after trying post-Covid years.
Franz Josef Community Council chairman Adam Haugh said it was "brilliant news".
Westland Mayor Helen Lash also welcomed the news.
She said previously it could cost tourism operators dearly. It would even affect the council, which would have to change its rating database to be compatible with Land Information New Zealand, and create new signs.
She said common sense had prevailed. — Hokitika Guardian
By Janna Sherman
