The word “Pig” is becoming more popular as an insulting term for an animal.
A survey by New Zealand University showed that more than 90% of people had used the word to insult a pig, while less than half had used it to describe a human.
The survey, published on Tuesday, also found that a quarter of New Zealand households were using the word in a derogatory manner.
The poll found that 76% of those surveyed believed the word meant to insult an animal, and that 67% said they were aware of other negative connotations associated with the word.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the survey suggested “we have to change this term”.
“We need to change it in a more neutral way.
It’s not offensive anymore, it’s not racist anymore, and it’s definitely not anti-Semitic,” he said.
“But I think there are some of us that are uncomfortable with it.”
Key said New Zealand had already begun using the term “Pigs” in the context of a conversation, and called for a national survey to look at other words people might use.
“The poll suggests that some of the things we do to offend people are just not acceptable.
We’re going to have to think about that,” he told the ABC.
Key said he was concerned about the increasing use of the word and said the government would introduce new legislation to make it illegal.
The government would also “work with the media to ensure that they use it responsibly”, he said, saying New Zealand needed to stop using the derogatory term.
Key and the Prime Minister are trying to push for the use of “Pigeon” in New Zealand’s official languages, but critics say that is a step too far.
The country’s main language, English, has only been used in official documents for less than 20 years.
“There are some people that want to call the pig an animal because they can get away with that,” Key said.
Key also said the Government had no plans to change the name of the country’s only bird, the New Zealand Marbled Woodpecker.