Last night, government members voted down the Enabling Crown Entities to Adopt Māori Names Bill at its first reading, refusing to allow it to go to a select committee stage where the public would have their opportunity to give feedback on the Bill.
The Bill would have enabled crown entities to use both a Māori and English name, giving both titles equal mana and integrity in legislation. Importantly, the Bill did not mandate Ministers to adopt a Māori name, it offered a compromise, allowing them to recommend a name if they saw fit.
Government members, particularly National MPs openly and aggressively attacked the Bill throughout the debate: ‘It’s a waste of this House’s time’, Erica Stanford; ‘Who cares?’, Tom Rutherford; ‘This is the ultimate example of a solution looking for a moral high ground or a problem’, Tim Costley.
Perhaps it is unsurprising that these National MPs hold no regard for the importance of uplifting Te Reo Māori in our government’s institutions, their track record on Māori issues during this term illustrates that. Not one Māori MP in the National Party was allowed to speak on the bill despite several being in the house during the debate.
This was a very simple Bill, with the opportunity to uplift Te Reo Māori in our Crown entities.
As I said in the house: “this legislation is about mana and dignity, and I would have thought that after the rocky time that this Government has had with race relations in Aotearoa New Zealand that, tonight, they may have some sense, just some sense of humility”.
Shanan Halbert (he/him), (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Whitikaupeka), List MP based in Northcote, Spokesperson for Tertiary Education, Rainbow Issues
