Bryce Edward's NZ Political Daily has a section on media reactions to the Māori Party petition on changing our country's name to Aotearoa and other place name changes.
Former politician Peter Dunne says the Māori Party "continues to provide a breathy of fresh air in the political space, otherwise choked by Covid19." He says the call for a referendum "should be welcomed because it "will hopefully set off a full public debate about the nature of our country and its ongoing national identity."
Right-leaning journalist Karl du Fresne sees it as a "chance to end the dishonest shadow-boxing... in which politicians, government officials and the media have been freely using Aotearoa despite the name having no official status and without any public mandate."
Predictably, Hobson's Choice man Don Brash opposes the change citing a Curia (National Party) poll that showed 49% of those interviewed opposed to the change, 39.2% of them strongly.
Over the ditch, Sky News Australia's Andrew Bolt interviewed Dr Muriel Newman, former ACT MP and founding director of the right-wing think tank, the NZ Centre of Political Research. Before he invited her comments, he set the stage by calling Jacinda Ardern a "woke politician who is leading New Zealand into a form of apartheid." Newman spoke of how Māori were stealthily taking over the country and how Labour was hiding reports which were enabling them to do so.
Te Pati Māori say some 25,000 people have signed the petition. It will be interesting to see how fair-minded the media is, while we listen very carefully to the undertones* of what those with opposing views have to say over the next few weeks.
A final word from Peter Dunne:
For my own part, as a third-generation citizen of Irish descent, I would be proud to say my country is Aotearoa. As Norman Kirk once said, all of us who live here, whatever our origins, bear the unique and common bond of calling these islands home. The mix of cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and the people that breeds, is unique and something for us to celebrate the world over. What better way to do that than proclaiming our place as citizens and residents of Aotearoa?
So, hats off to Te Paati Māori for initiating this debate. While there will be passionate views on all sides, the challenge to our national character will be to proceed without bigotry, intolerance and division overshadowing what is an important issue for the future of our country. Te Paati Māori has shown courage and commitment, but also a respect for tradition, in launching the referendum proposal. The challenge now for the rest of the country is to show the same courage and respect in considering the important issues it has raised.
-- ACW
* Undertone, a partly hidden feeling or meaning that hides the real meaning.
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