Tue Mar 04 09:52:49 UTC 2025: ## New Zealand Parliament Debates Use of Māori Name “Aotearoa”
**Wellington, New Zealand –** A debate over the use of the Māori name for New Zealand, “Aotearoa,” has erupted in the country’s Parliament. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, himself of Māori descent, objected to the use of “Aotearoa” during a parliamentary question, arguing it should not be used without a referendum. Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March, a Mexican-born New Zealand citizen, had used the term.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee ruled that while MPs can use any of New Zealand’s three official languages (English, te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language), he wouldn’t entertain further complaints about the use of “Aotearoa.” He suggested using “Aotearoa New Zealand” for clarity but stopped short of mandating it. Peters, however, declared he would refuse to answer questions using “Aotearoa,” calling the Speaker’s ruling “wrong.”
The controversy highlights the growing popularity of te reo Māori and its increasing presence in New Zealand society, a trend that has also sparked some backlash. While many, including non-Māori, use “Aotearoa” regularly, some argue against it becoming the official name, citing the pre-colonial lack of a single Māori name for the entire country. The debate also reflects ongoing tensions between the governing coalition and the opposition, described by some commentators as a “culture war.” Peters, known for his populist views, has previously clashed with the Green Party over immigration issues. This incident represents the latest in a series of public disagreements between the two parties.
First Piper 