Let’s Identify New Zealand.
In an attempt to heal (for some, the wound is too deep) the current division in the country.
The government could ditch the Principles bill and replace it with a referendum on the official name of the country. Apparently there is no official name of the Country.
Lets keep talking while this is a hot topic.
What a leadership opportunity for the PM to start on the road to unity.
He has already supported the idea of a referendum (see below)
The referendum would be in the form of a choice for New Zealand’s Official, legal name..
a) New Zealand
b) Aotearoa
c) Aotearoa New Zealand
In settling the matter, the Government would edict that NZs official name be used in all Government (central and local) entities. Also be used in any affiliated bodies and bodies funded by government. Yes Passports may have to have a name change, so what?
This would include any official communication from such bodies.
Individuals of course, given the right of freedom of speech, can refer to the country by any name they wish
Reference: The last attempt at a name change was ideological and is still in process
Mr Luxons response per TV1 News
National leader Christopher Luxon said the proposed name change is a constitutional issue and constitutional issues should go to referendum.
“You don’t just go make those decisions unilaterally.
“Make your case, spend the capital, take it to the New Zealand people, they decide.”
A previous Petition(2021) that went thru the select committee process
The full report
Our response to the petitions
We thank the petitioners for raising this topic. We note Manatū Taonga’s comment that no single law makes “New Zealand” the official name; instead, the consistent use of it has created its official status. We have also observed that the use of “Aotearoa” is increasing in many different contexts. Many people now use the name “Aotearoa” or “Aotearoa New Zealand” without any official change at this time. We suggest that the petitioners may wish to consider starting a citizens-initiated referendum. To hold a citizens-initiated referendum, a person has to get signatures from at least 10 percent of eligible voters.
3 years is a long time in politics
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders.
9 comments:
This proposal is very naive. It assumes that the Treaty Principles Bill, rather than the attempts to introduce apartheid, is the cause of division. They also don't explain what such a referendum will achieve. We already have a name, but the name is different in different languages. Also, Labour, the Greens and TPM generally ignore referendums unless the outcome is in their favour. Just look at the way they regard referendums on Maori seats on local authorities. If Maori run the country, as this "Kiwiblog reader" seems to want, then they will change all the place names in NZ, including the country's name, regardless of any referendum.
No. New Zealand is not an appropriate name for these islands- being given by a world traveller who only briefly passed by, and referred to a very flat land, completely unlike our mountainous terrain. It has nothing going for it - except - that since these islands have become part of 'the world', very recently in the scheme of things, it has been known as New Zealand. That is the name in the atlas, in the world of trade and tourism, sport and entertainment. We have built our reputation, such as it is, as New Zealand - a reputation Aotearoa has never had. A change would be facile.
Just plain dumb. We've spent more than 180 years building a world recognisable brand, so why on earth would we want to change it? Can you imagine McDonalds, Google, Rolex, et al, even for a moment contemplating such, and they've been at it for a fraction of the time.
But then, of course, we have He Puapua to consider?
I for one, would not travel on 'Air Aotearoa." It does not sound safe. Same with the contry having a name the activists use.
We have too much race based division in the country now without fostering discussion of name which will generate more. A problem is the many new migrants who have no connection with our past history. 30,000 died in two World Wars. Nearly all considered they were fighting for the principles associated New Zealand; a bastion in the Pacific of European industriousness and democratic civilisation, not for a race divided native dominated land of welfare spongers. We owe retention of New Zealand in remembrance.
We should rename NZ to Lilliput.
We can all be lilliputians and the Maori Party could be Lillimaoriutians.
Nonsense indeed but so is what’s going on now. Media and left wing nutters making up the country’s name as they see fit. And a govt department who waste money we can’t afford on trying to rename towns and cities for no benefit at all.
How about Luxonarderniora?
Have you looked at your passport?
So, National leader Christopher Luxon said the proposed name change is a constitutional issue and constitutional issues should go to referendum. No kidding Batman! “You don’t just go make those decisions unilaterally. Make your case, spend the capital, take it to the New Zealand people, they decide.” Well John Key's National Government imposed that awful word "Aotearoa" on the passport in 2011 and the Reserve Bank chose to put the term on bank notes in 2015. Neither decision resulted from a referendum but arguably should have! Let's face it when John Key tried to mess with our flag the referendum said "No". Now our esteemed PM is determined to prevent the voice of the people regarding the Treaty Principles Bill. Does this make him a little, teensy weeny bit like two tier Starmer in the UK?
Post a Comment