Flag, anthem and even our name under fire in book

'Without doubt, under a constitution that recognises the Treaty of Waitangi, these symbols would have to be amended or replaced,' says Malcolm Mulholland, author of Weeping Waters, below

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New Zealand needs a new national anthem, a fresh flag and a name change, a controversial book to be published on Waitangi weekend argues.

The book calls for a debate about changing our national symbols to better reflect the Treaty of Waitangi and the country's heritage.

Malcolm Mulholland, author, academic and Hone Harawira confidant, writes in Weeping Waters that while the anthem and flag were an "intrinsic part of our history" and most people will think they should not be tampered with, the country must have the debate if "we are to develop as a country and accept that some of our country's past is less than admirable".

He says New Zealand needs a more appropriate flag and anthem. Not a word in the anthem, "God Defend New Zealand", refers to the treaty or Maori "so the relevance of the anthem must surely be questioned".

Mulholland suggests three options: inserting a relevant verse into the existing anthem, penning a second anthem to be sung alongside "God Defend New Zealand" or replacing "God Defend New Zealand" with a new song.

He also calls for a new flag, arguing that the Union Jack and Southern Cross were not unique to New Zealand and should be removed, or the flags redesigned.

He also argues that the name of the country should be changed because New Zealand became the name by default. It was simply an English translation of the Dutch name Nieuw Zeeland (new land from the sea). While many assume the Maori name, and alternative preference, is Aotearoa, the Maori translation for New Zealand is Nu Tireni. Mulholland suggests calling the country Aotearoa New Zealand or finding a new name, but says Maori should have the final say on a suggested Maori name.

That has got short shrift from the prime minister, though. A spokesman for John Key said: "The last thing on our minds is changing the name of New Zealand."

But Mulholland says revisiting the symbols is "healthy for the maturity of the country".

"As they stand, the symbols remain symbols of colonisation. Nowhere in the process of deciding upon their place within our national identity were Maori approached as to their suitability. Without doubt, under a constitution that recognises the Treaty of Waitangi these symbols would have to be amended or replaced."

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira said symbols were important to people and agreed that a debate about change was necessary.

"One of the things I learned on the Maori flag tour was how many people don't actually like the New Zealand flag.

"Even a lot of soldiers preferred the Kiwi symbol over a flag that looks like Australia's. The Maori flag is a winner because it is distinctive, it is Maori, and it has soul. Aotearoa deserves a flag with that kind of mana."

On changing the country's name, Harawira said: "This country deserves a name as great as Aotearoa as well, rather than one that reminds us of a Dutchman who didn't even like the place."

On the anthem: "I like the two-language thing. It reminds us of our dual heritage, and it puts the Maori language up where it belongs – first."

In the book's introduction, Mulholland, the author of four books, claims the Treaty of Waitangi has been "severely neglected as the cornerstone of a constitution for this country".

"The 6th of February, 1840, was to mark a downward spiral for Maori, a loss of political autonomy that would result in the tangata whenua being culturally, socially and economically bereft in their own lands."

Moana Jackson, a respected activist and lawyer who specialises in treaty and constitutional issues, is interviewed for the book. He puts the case for constitutional "transformation" rather than reform, which implied "we will just tutu around with the Westminster system".

Jackson argues that the Crown delegates rights of governance to local bodies and quangos but never questions its assumed power to delegate.

"That's what the constitution debate should be about. It shouldn't be about iwi becoming like a Rotary club or a sports club and having right of management. It has to be about iwi being governments because that's what we were before 1840. This is where our korero [story] needs to start."

Weeping Waters, with contributions from a number of eminent Maori leaders, writers and academics, is officially published on Waitangi weekend. Copies go on sale in bookshops over the next couple of weeks.

Waitangi celebrations begin on Friday, when Key and other politicians visit Te Tii Marae to hear speeches from local iwi, which deal with issues of the day and often involve heated debate. Key was last year assaulted as he went on to the marae.

On Saturday, the traditional dawn service will be held at the Waitangi Meeting House.

- © Fairfax NZ News