Opera House to install ‘h’

Whanganui city’s historic Royal Wanganui Opera House is a step closer to adopting an “h” in its full name. The 120-year-old building is the last remaining working Victorian theatre in the southern hemisphere and the only Whanganui District Council-owned building still carrying the old spelling. The spelling “Whanganui” was officially gazetted in 2017, reflecting the views of the Whanganui District Council, local iwi and public submitters. New signs with the correct spelling could go up when exterior painting and repairs are completed this month.