1551 days ago

New Zealander or Aotearoan?

Michael from Trentham

So far 35,000 people have signed a petition to have NZ change its name to Aotearoa. It might be popular in some areas of NZ but I don't think the Hutt Valley would buy into it.
The National Party (or is that really just Judith Collins and a few others) are calling for a referendum on a name change.
Let's say it happens. What would become of ANZAC Day? Would it become AAAC Day?
What would become of Australasian - would it become Austroan?
Would the letters ANZ become AA which might or might not be appropriate because AA has other meanings and not just Automobile Association.
There are those who say we should double our name to New Zealand-Aotearoa but that really takes up a page in a book and a sentence in a short speech. And would we still be called New Zealanders?
If we do shift to Aotearoa in all fairness we drop the colloquial term for a New Zealander: Kiwi (which is Maori) and replace it with an English name of Paradise Duck or just Paradiser for short. That would be terrific as most of us and the world believe we live in paradise. And those ducks are noisy and slightly bossy.
Another good thing in becoming Aotearoa, in the Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies not only are we among the first to emerge into the stadium instead of waiting and waiting and waiting, but we are ahead of Australia alphabetically. Why not just take a wee small step and spell our new name Aaotearoa and we will be first at any Games -unless they do the dirty and start in reverse. Hello Zambia.

More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?

(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

Image
2 hours ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

Image
Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 39.4% Yes
    39.4% Complete
  • 33.3% Maybe?
    33.3% Complete
  • 27.3% No
    27.3% Complete
165 votes
1 day ago

Warning to all people living in Gemstone Drive

André & Christi from Birchville

Be on the lookout for this teenager who trespasses properties shortly after midnight. Take note of distinctive clothing.