Aotearoa

Aotearoa is the Māori name for the land that is now known as New Zealand. In Māori contexts it is used to refer to both the geographic islands and the nation. The name is widely translated as the land of the long white cloud, although exact linguistic derivation is subject to interpretation within te reo Māori.

Geographically, Aotearoa comprises two main islands and numerous smaller islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It has a varied climate and biodiversity, and its landscapes range from alpine regions to coastal environments. The country is home to a diverse population, including a substantial Māori community that influences language, art, and governance.

Māori people were the first to settle in Aotearoa, beginning in the late pre-contact period. European exploration and later settlement began in the 17th–19th centuries, culminating in the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which established British sovereignty while recognizing Māori rights and governance. Te reo Māori and English have coexisted as official languages for decades; New Zealand Sign Language was given official status in 2006.

In contemporary usage, Aotearoa is increasingly employed alongside or in place of New Zealand, especially in government and education, media, and public discourse. The bilingual naming reflects New Zealand's bi-cultural foundations and ongoing conversations about language revitalization, reconciliation, and shared governance between Māori and Pākehā communities.