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Next month marks the twelfth anniversary of New Zealand’s decision to formalise the official names of its two main islands: the North Island [Te Ika-a-Māui] and the South Island [Te Waipounamu].

This decision, however, was not without controversy. There were disagreements about what the proper Māori names for the islands are, what the proper English names for the islands are, and whether they should have proper names at all.

During the consultation period, we invited New Zealanders to attempt to stump Edvard regarding these questions. They offered a variety of recommendations, including, of course, Waikikamukau.