It is already news that the Maori Party is proposing to rename New Zealand with its indigenous name. It is something that has been commented on and gaining repercussion in the face of the upcoming elections in that Oceanian nation.
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The indigenous name for New Zealand is Aotearoa.
This is how that great island is known in the Maori language. The Maori are the Polynesian ethnic group native to New Zealand soil. From 1840, the English colonization began in those territories and the displacement of the Maori group.
On New Zealand territory there are two official languages: English and Maori. However, the latter is used less and less. All the toponymy of the nation adopted the English verbalization. Likewise, official entities use English.
The current Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, plans to be re-elected in the next elections. Her rival from her Maori party is Rawiri Waititi, a politician famous for his speeches and wearing Maori tribal tattoos on his face.
Everything happens in the middle of a political debate
We already mentioned that the name of the New Zealand territory in the Maori language is Aotearoa, a word that means: “Land of the Great White Cloud”. It is expected to use this name for the nation again.
Likewise, it is expected to rename the capital of the country called Wellington by the English, calling it Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Also, you want people to be able to use native names and not English diction.
During the year 2020, New Zealand appoints a Maori as chancellor for the first time. This is Nanaia Mahuta, who drew her attention for wearing a traditional tattoo on her face, embodied on her chin.
The upcoming elections will be held in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak. Jadinda Ardern’s popularity is high, but Maori party activists are gaining ground with a high segment of the population.
It is evident that the prime minister feels the pressure of the polls. For example, in her most recent speeches she has tried to use various Maori words. Maori are 15% of the New Zealand population.
Some words in Maori language
It is not only planned to change the name of the country, but to recover this language. Rename cities and teach Maori in schools. Let’s see some words and expressions in this language:
– Kia prays: hello, thank you, have a good luck.
– Haka: name of a traditional warrior dance maori. Widely used in sports, especially by the rugby team (the All blacks).
– pounamu: this is the name of the jade stone, of great significance for the maori.
– Pakeha: word to designate someone who is not maoriespecially Europeans.
– Moana: means sea.
– Aroha: translates as love.
– Moko: tattoo.
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How about the traditional name for New Zealand? Aotearoa It means “Land of the Great White Cloud” and could be the new name of this nation if there is a change of government.
Sources:
NEWS AMERICA
UNILAD