Summarised by Centrist
NZ First leader Winston Peters, in Parliament this week, rejected the use of “Aotearoa”, slamming what he called a sham name change never approved by the people.
The clash came during Question Time when Green list MP Teanau Tuiono asked about marine commitments made at the UN Ocean Conference in France.
Peters, who attended as foreign minister, replied bluntly, “No such country turned up.”
Speaker Gerry Brownlee stepped in to defend the use of “Aotearoa New Zealand” in the House, pointing out it appears on passports and in legislation, citing the New Zealand Geographic Board’s use of the name.
“If there is any change to the Geographic Board’s position, it should be done by legislation, by the government,” Brownlee said.
However, Peters cited the New Zealand Geographic Board’s own 2018 policy, which says the board has no power to rename the country and that any change requires an act of Parliament alongside public consultation.
“We are not going to put up with this sham or pretence that our name is being changed when the New Zealand taxpayer has never been consulted,” Peters said. “It is not even the name of the South Island where Māori are concerned,” he argued.
Yet, Brownlee upheld the right of MPs to use Māori terms such as “Aotearoa” under the rules of the House.
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Image: Michal Klajban
