Dear New Zealand Transport Agency,

I notice the reference to Aotearoa in this web page: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roadcode/motorc...

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For example:

Keeping Left

We drive on the left-hand side of the road in Aotearoa.

If you don't keep left, you're likely to cause a head-on crash. This is one of the worst types of crash, as it almost always results in death or serious injury.

Keeping left on a laned road

Most roads in Aotearoa have lanes marked on them with a white line, double white line or raised studs.
…
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Could NZTA please outline its understanding of the legal basis and standing of this web page content in New Zealand law and its enforceability by the Police.

I ask because:
1) the country - New Zealand - is not mentioned
2) Aotearoa is not an English word and the web page is written in the English language for residents who know English - so the use of another language is out of place.
3) Aotearoa is not a known country recognised by the United Nations or New Zealand law - so may not be legally enforceable.
4) In Maori, Aotearoa only refers to a part of the country of New Zealand. So does this rule not apply to - for example - Queenstown?

I refer you to this summary of Aotearoa as a valid country name by Grok4: https://x.com/i/grok/share/1WCoEQmliSESp...

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Question: Is the name Aotearoa recognised as a formal country name by the United Nations, or by New Zealand law?

Answer: No, the name Aotearoa is not recognized as a formal country name by the United Nations. The UN officially refers to the country as "New Zealand" in its membership lists and terminology databases.

No, the name Aotearoa is also not recognized as a formal country name under New Zealand law. While it is widely used as an alternative Māori name—including on currency, passports, and in parliamentary contexts—and can be employed interchangeably with "New Zealand" in some official settings, the legal name remains "New Zealand" and can only be changed through legislation.

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NZTA’s answer may be that there is a different officially gazetted / issued / legal version of the New Zealand Road Code that is not this web page. Please clarify if any official legal version enforceable by the police or the courts mentions an official country name, or Aotearoa, and explain:
- Why the web page above is the same or not the same as the legal version?
- What is the purpose of any difference?
- Any legal advice about the effect of any difference before or after the difference was created, or before or after the use of a non-country name was begun;
- Which public servant role authorised the use of Aotearoa on the website, and please provide the Record that substantiates the authorisation (eg document or email).

Regardless of the above, please change the English NZTA web pages to use “New Zealand” - the name of the country NZTA administers laws and regulations for. It will minimise confusion, and any enforceability issues.

Yours faithfully,

C Johnston