Renewed calls for the Cook Islands to take on indigenous name

Photo: Rafael Ben-Ari/ 123RF

By RNZ

There are renewed calls in the Cook Islands for an indigenous Māori name to replace the country's colonial-era moniker.

Traditional leaders used the recent 30th anniversary of Rarotonga's Tākitimu monarch to push for the name change.

Tākitimu's paramount chief herself backed the call saying she fully supported a Māori ancestral name for the nation, according to the Cook Islands News.

Pa Upokotini Ariki said she hoped Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown would champion the cause when he takes over as prime minister in September.

The name Cook Islands has been criticised by some for a lack of history, meaning, mana and value.

The Koutu Nui council of sub-chiefs also supports change but wants proper public consultation, while the 'Are Ariki council of high-chiefs president Tou Ariki says now is not the time.

Another chief, Terei Mataiapo Iaveta Short, is pushing for the ancestral name 'Avaiki.

A name change was rejected in 1994.