Aotearoa , originally used in reference to the
North Island of
New Zealand, is now the most widely known and accepted
Maori name for the entire country. It is often pronounced by English speakers, and is becoming widespread in the bilingual names of national organisations, such as the
National Library of New Zealand / Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa. Since the 1990s it has been the custom to sing New Zealand's national anthem, "
God Defend New Zealand", in both Maori and English, exposing the term
Aotearoa to a wider audience.