If a general election promise comes to fruition, the name New Zealand may be no more.
Under the plans, the cities of Wellington and Christchurch may have their British inspired names axed.
But a rival political party has not gone well with the suggestion.
Kiwis go to the polls on October 17 after the previous September 23 election date was postponed due to a new coronavirus outbreak in the country’s main city of Auckland last month.
The Labour Party headed by Jacinda Ardern seeks to maintain power strengthened by its pandemic response, with the ultimate reward being able to rule in its own right and not in coalition.
With its attention on reconstructing the post-COVID economy, the opposition National Party is hoping to trigger an upset.
With its attention on reconstructing the post-COVID economy, the opposition National Party is hoping to trigger an upset.
Another concern that caused headlines this week, though, is what the country is called.
The Maori Party has said it would change the official name of the nation to Aotearoa within six years if it wins power.
More than that, by 2026 they will be lost to all towns and cities with “pakeha” (European) names. With Christchurch referred to as’ tautahi, the capital of Wellington will become Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Half of all lessons in schools would be taught in Maori by 2030.
Maori Party candidate Rawiri Waititi told website Stuff that renaming New Zealand and its place names would “elevate te reo Māori (the Maori language) to its rightful place”.
“It is unacceptable that only 20 per cent of our people can speak their own language and that only 3 per cent of the country can speak its official language,” Mr Waititi said during Maori Language Week.
“We need to be doing more at a systemic level to protect and promote the reo of Aotearoa.”