New Zealand Speaker Supports Use of Māori Name Aotearoa in Parliament

Despite calls from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters to restrict the use of Aotearoa in parliamentary proceedings, Speaker Gerry Brownlee has ruled that MPs are free to use any of the country's official languages, including Māori. This ruling highlights the continuing debate around Aotearoa's status and its recognition within New Zealand's legal framework.

The Speaker of New Zealand's Parliament, Gerry Brownlee, has firmly stated that he will not entertain any further complaints regarding the use of the Māori name Aotearoa in parliamentary discussions. His ruling follows a recent request from Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters to eliminate Aotearoa's usage, suggesting that a referendum be initiated before its consideration in official proceedings. While New Zealand remains the legal name of the nation, Aotearoa, translating to "land of the long white cloud," has been a long-standing term used in Māori to refer to the country.

Brownlee pointed out that Aotearoa appears on official documents such as passports and currency and is featured in the Māori version of New Zealand's national anthem, which often precedes the English rendition. He emphasized that members of Parliament are welcome to use any of the country’s three official languages—Māori, English, and New Zealand sign language—when addressing Parliament.

The controversy was sparked last month when Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March, a New Zealand citizen of Mexican origin, used the name Aotearoa during a parliamentary session. Peters challenged the legitimacy of this usage from someone who immigrated to New Zealand in 2006, questioning whether it represented the views of the wider populace without a democratic mandate. Additionally, another government minister and member of Peters' New Zealand First party, Shane Jones, voiced concerns regarding the appropriateness of recent immigrants influencing the name of the country.

While Brownlee has encouraged members to consider using Aotearoa New Zealand to mitigate confusion, he reiterated that this was not an obligatory measure. The debate persists within Māori communities, as not all Māori identify strongly with the name Aotearoa, which was traditionally attributed to New Zealand's North Island. Nevertheless, its usage has grown among non-Māori as a sign of respect toward the indigenous population.

As the use of Māori language gains more traction in public life, a petition by the Māori Party to officially change the country’s name to Aotearoa garnered over 70,000 signatures in 2022—a move reflecting the desire for a more indigenous identity. Meanwhile, the current government has shifted priorities for communication in government, emphasizing the use of English unless specifically relating to Māori issues. This realignment has faced resistance, particularly with calls from some political factions to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, highlighting ongoing debates regarding Māori rights and representation.