Editorial: Islands by any other name

Should New Zealand's two main islands have alternative names?

The New Zealand Geographic Board has this week been considering submissions on proposals to name the islands - which apparently have no official names, though we all know them as North and South.

The board has agreed in principle that the islands should be called the North Island or Te Ika a Maui, and the South Island or Te Wai Pounamu.

If it all gets signed off either name or both could be used officially for each island.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson will make the final decision.

It's worth remembering Mr Williamson was the man who decided both Wanganui and Whanganui would be official - though he expected Crown agencies over time to move towards using the "h".

Will we see the same thing arise with our main islands?

Many say they can't see a reason for the change - so said a lot of people on our Facebook page - but the names aren't being changed. The alternatives (and the current names) are simply being made official.

Let's not forget New Zealand has three official languages - English, te reo and New Zealand Sign Language. It doesn't seem too far a stretch to have two official names for an island.

Weather reports aside, how often do you refer to the North or South Island anyway?

The main downside I can see is any confusion arising out of dual naming. Surely most people are intelligent enough to deal with it.

This is an issue ruined by its appeal to bigots, stifling healthy debate.

But when it comes down to it no one should expend too much time, energy or fury getting heated up about it. As one reader posted on our Facebook page - there's more important [stuff] to worry about anyway.