Speaker’s Rulings — Debate—Use of “Aotearoa”

Members, I’ve been asked to rule on the use of the word “Aotearoa” in the House. I said I would consider the approach taken by the New Zealand Geographic Board, though this is not at all binding on the House, which does enjoy unfettered freedom of speech. The official name of New Zealand may only be altered by legislation. However, “Aotearoa” is regularly used as a name of New Zealand, including by the Geographic Board itself in its own name, and in the title of the legislation that created it. It appears on our passports and it appears on our currency.

I’ve pointed out several times that Standing Order 109 says that “member[s] may address the Speaker in English, [te reo] Māori, or New Zealand Sign Language.” That really is the end of the matter. In light of Standing Order 109, it’s not for the Speaker to arbitrate when individual words in any of those three languages may be used.

I suggested to Ricardo Menéndez March he might like to use “Aotearoa New Zealand” for the sake of order in the House and to assist anyone who might not understand the term. However, members may speak in any of the three languages at any time. If other members do not like certain words, they don’t have to use them. But it’s not a matter of order and I don’t expect to have further points of order raised about it.