Te Pāti Māori co-leader wants the Government to show leadership and push through changes to adopt Aotearoa as a replacement name for New Zealand. But Debbie Ngarewa-Packer admits this kapuapa might be a political hot potato that Labour will not want to carry before this year’s election.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi last week appeared in front of the Māori Affairs select committee to discuss a name change to Aotearoa.
Waititi says the party’s push to make Aotearoa the official name of the country has a serious purpose.
He said while the country is facing other important issues like the rising cost of living and the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, it can’t lose sight of building a stronger future.