Halloween rename campaign cops criticism from Blenheim mayor.

The mayor of Blenheim has called on Air New Zealand to issue a “public apology” after the airline renamed Blenheim ‘Beastheim’ as part of an online Halloween campaign.

The airline renamed national destinations to coincide with Halloween on its Grabaseat website.

Auckland became Spookland, Christchurch was transformed into Witchchurch, Rotorua was renamed Rottingrua, and Wellington was altered to Spellington.

Marlborough District Council mayor Alistair Sowman labelled the stunt offensive and said it conjured memories of serial sex offender Stuart Murray Wilson, known as ‘The Beast of Blenheim’.

“We have enough problems now trying to put that name behind us,” Mayor Sowman said.

Following complaints, Air New Zealand removed the Beastheim reference, opting for the title Ghosteim.