Rotorua use of 'Maori' okay

Rotorua area tangata whenua are quite happy to be called Maori despite a call from the top to have the name changed.

Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia has labelled the word as "Pakeha" and says the people native to New Zealand want it changed to tangata whenua (people of the land).

However, Rotorua Maori appeared quite happy with the name, saying that to change it would be to change an age-old tradition.

Te Arawa leader Arapeta Tahana said his tribe had no issue with being referred to as Maori.