The Department of Internal Affairs has released the top 20 Maori baby names for 2013 in association with Maori Language Week 2014 - Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.

The most popular Maori baby names in 2013 were Nikau for boys and Aria for girls, the Department of Internal Affairs confirmed.

'The five most popular baby names for Maori girls in 2013 were Aria, Maia, Ariana, Anahera and Anika.

'For boys, the top five Maori names were Nikau, Ari, Wiremu, Niko and Tamati,” says Registrar-General, Jeff Montgomery.

Boys' names have represented the biggest change from 2012.

'Ari and Niko did not appear in the 2012 list,” Jeff notes.

'For girls' names, Anika has made a large jump from number 18 last year to fifth, and Aria and Maia have swapped first and second place.”

The figures are collected from registrations of birth in New Zealand in the 2012-2013 financial year and do not include children born overseas.

'Although there is no need for children born overseas to register their birth in New Zealand, grandparents with mokopuna born in other countries can encourage the parents to register their pepe as New Zealand citizens by descent,” Jeff says.

'This enables the child to be recognised as an official New Zealander.”

Citizenship by descent is a birth right for all children born overseas who have at least one parent who is a New Zealand citizen by birth or by grant. The only difference between citizenship by descent and any other kind of citizenship is that citizens by descent cannot automatically pass New Zealand citizenship to their children born overseas.

'Registering as a New Zealand citizen by descent is very easy – the application form can be downloaded from www.citizenship.govt.nz. Parents can also call free 0800 22 51 51 for help with any questions they might have.”

'This is the second time that this analysis has been carried out between the Department of Internal Affairs and Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Maori.

'Te Wiki o te Reo Maori is a great opportunity to release the top 20 Maori boys and girls names,” Jeff adds.

'Maori names are unique in the world – they connect to your history and your whakapapa.”

'Maori names are an important way of linking with whakapapa,” says the CE of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Pita Paraone.

'We're pleased that so many whanau are maintaining tupuna names through the generations. Maori names are a way of connecting with te reo Maori and Maori culture.”

The Department of Internal Affairs reminds parents that it's important to register the names of their newborns with Births Deaths Marriages and Citizenship. Birth registration is the first official recognition of a baby born in New Zealand and gives newborns rights, privileges and official status under the law.

'It's really important that the birth is registered as soon as possible”, Jeff says.

'It will allow baby to start school, open a bank account and get a New Zealand passport."