Signs at a south Auckland train station now read "Takaanini", which is the preferred spelling by mana whenua.

Auckland Transport (AT) has stirred up a storm in a tea cup after adding an extra letter to the suburb Takanini.

Signage at the Takanini train station in south Auckland now reads 'Takaanini' – leaving some commuters scratching their heads.

A handful took to Facebook to air their confusion, thinking it could have been a typo, while others contacted AT and the Public Transport Users Association to query it.

The change, however, was not a typo, said AT's James Ireland; it was requested by local iwi.

READ MORE:

* Typos on road signs change longstanding names

* Remutaka correct spelling, says iwi

* Street name change campaigner hopes to set spelling right

"Takaanini is the spelling mana whenua want us to use."

Ireland said the suburb was named after the Māori chief of the area, Ihaka Takaanini. The nearby suburb of Wiri was named after his son Wirihana.

"There may be some people who might think we've spelt it wrong – but really it can only be a positive, in that we're keeping true to mana whenua wishes," Ireland said.

A macron is often used in the place of a double "a", but in this case Ireland said it was requested not to use the macron.

DANIELLE CLENT/STUFF Public Transport Users Association boss Jon Reeves said AT should have consulted with the public before making the change.

Macrons or double vowels are not just pronunciation guides - they are vital to the meaning behind te reo words.

Karen Takaanini Wilson, the great great great granddaughter of Māori chief Ihaka Takaanini, said for her whānau it was the correct spelling and should be pronounced 'tah-cah-nee-nee'.

"The suburb was named after him and AT has finally acknowledged the previous spelling was wrong."

Abigail Dougherty Some other Auckland train stations will have macrons added to them including Orākei and Rānui.

Wilson said she was "very appreciative" of AT for making the changes.

"This will get people in the area asking about the spelling and hopefully bring more awareness to Takaanini and the way it should be spelt."

Land Information New Zealand Gazetteer records states that although 'Takaanini' was not the official name for the train station, it was an acceptable alternative.

But Public Transport Users Association boss Jon Reeves said adding an extra 'a' in the place name was not good for public transport users as it could cause confusion.

"People simply won't be looking for a misspelt train station."

He said AT probably should have engaged in public consultation or an information campaign to let Aucklanders know the name was changing.

The station was being upgraded by AT and the new signage was installed during the past week.

AT was also changing the signage at other stations around the region to reflect the correct spelling, including adding a macron to the Orākei and Rānui signs.

"We're not going out and changing every sign in Auckland, but as signs need to be replaced the spelling on them will be updated," Ireland said.

The Māori Language Commission has been advocating for the use of macrons for over 30 years.

It was always recommended local council should speak to local iwi about Māori names, Māori Language Commission communications advisor Colin Feslier said.

"We were aware AT was adding the macron to some of their signs. We regard adding a macron not to be changing the name but standardising it."

In recent years, communities such as Manawatū and Kāpiti have endured heated debates over whether their names should include macrons and Whanganui officially acquired its 'h' in 2015.

Ireland said AT was open to the idea of erecting an plaque explaining why the Takaanini train station had an extra letter, when compared to the suburb's name.

The spelling change is part of Auckland Council's Te Reo Maori policy, which AT also follows.