Better Democracy NZ is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation.

Our mission is to foster the improvement of New Zealand's democratic system and encourage the use of direct democracy through the

Veto, Citizens' Initiated and Recall referendum.

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Sunday, 14 April 2013

Helen takes exception to the draft Constitution Title



What does everyone else think ?  Is having the  word "Aotearoa"  in or out of the Constitution a dealbreaker for many people ?  Would  reading it stop you  reading any further ?



I have only got to the cover page of your Constitution but before I read any further I take issue with calling our country Aotearoa/New Zealand.  We are New Zealand and any change to our country’s name should only be by referendum.  Slowly Aotearoa is creeping in as part of our country’s name, when it isn’t.  Before we know it the New Zealand part will be dropped and we will just be called Aotearoa and this must never happen without a referendum.  I will personally oppose it strongly whenever it comes up.  We are New Zealand and its people are New Zealanders first and foremost. Next thing we will be called Aotearoans or something equally ridiculous.

So, I oppose that part of your Constitution before I go any further.  I cannot support it whilst Aotearoa is connected to our country’s name

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not at all surprising. I would bet that a large majority of people, even maori would tentatively consider a name change to Aoetearoa. Most people i have spoken to about this would agree.

Anonymous said...

I, too, dislike the word 'Aotearoa' in the title of the draft Constitution - especially since it came before the proper name of our country, which is New Zealand. We are New Zealanders, first and foremost, who call our country New Zealand, not Aotearoa.
Having the real name of our country in second place, as if it were an afterthought put in only to satisfy an insignificant minority culture (i.e. us and our entire western civilisation), almost put me off reading the rest of the draft Consitution. In fact, take the word 'Aotearoa' out of the document entirely.