A Wellington man's fighting to get recognition for one of the most an ancient names for our country.

Danny Tahau Jobe has created a petition for parliament to make the name "Aotearoa" official.

He says he was shocked when he discovered the name isn't legally recognised, even though it's on many public documents.

"So many people have reiterated the same thing, that they truly believe Aotearoa as a name had official status, but it just has nothing at all."

He says the change would give mana to the country's bicultural history.

"I believe that it honours the treaty and it reflects on our past and it reflects on our future."

The petition closes in February next year.