The Maori party wants to officially change New Zealand's name to Aotearoa

It also wants to replace all pakeha place names, cities and towns with their original Maori ingoa - or name - by 2026.

Waiariki candidate Rawiri Waititi says it's unacceptable that only 20 percent of Maori can speak their own language and more must be done at a systemic level to protect and promote the reo of Aotearoa.

Te Reo Maori and Maori history would be made core curriculum subjects up to Year 10, with a goal to incorporate Te Reo Maori into half of the primary school curriculum by 2030.