We’re letting a chance go by here in New Zealand.

The government of the day has announced that New Zealand’s titular honours are to be restored, some ten years after their abolition by the government of yesterday. I applaud the decision. Imperfect as they are, knighthoods provide recognition that non-titular honours cannot deliver. “Sir” and “Dame” convey a respect, a mana, altogether lacking from the grey egalitarianism of the previous government’s alternatives.

They are also strongly identified with colonialism and chauvinism. And it’s here that New Zealand is missing an opportunity.

Why don’t we make these honours distinctly our own?

Certainly let’s bring back titular honours. But let’s also establish an alternative for the titles “Dame” and “Sir”. Not an alternative honour; just an alternative word which may be substituted for these very traditional English terms. A Maori word. Ideally, an ungendered Maori word that can be used by both men and women.

There will be contexts in which “Sir” or “Dame” is the more appropriate title, such as when travelling overseas. But there will also be occasions to affirm our Pacific identity by taking up the alternative Maori term. Providing such an option retains the best attributes of a knighthood, while making it a distinctly New Zealand honour.

While we’re at it, we should also find a term for the partner of the recipient. Again, an ungendered Maori word would seem to best cover the possible permutations.

It’s not often a nation has the opportunity to forge a link in the chain of national identity with such a simple decision. This is a chance New Zealanders should not allow to slip by.