Māori cultural experts have come out in support of billionaire Jeff Bezos, who has given his $500 million luxury yacht a Māori name.

Yesterday the Herald revealed the Amazon founder, according to AIS on Vesselfinder, had named his boat Koru – meaning new beginnings and continuity.

Hundreds of Herald readers also took to our Facebook page, with the majority of Māori and Pākehā also very supportive.

The massive yacht is being moved from the primary facilities in Alblasserdam to Rotterdam through the Netherlands’ canals.

Her masts will be fitted later to avoid dismantling the Koningshaven Bridge after a hue and cry over disassembling a historical monument to accommodate a tycoon’s pleasure craft.

The 471-foot vessel will now undergo sea trials, after which it will be delivered to the billionaire.

Bezos, listed among the top five of the world’s richest people, posted the image to Instagram.

Respected Māori cultural adviser and community advocate Rangi McLean – who last year had his own issues with a German artist who used his image without permission – said it was a big positive for Aotearoa for Bezos to take a Māori name for his boat.

“I believe Bezos has taken on our way of life and is taking on board all those aspects. From what I have read, he understands what the koru means and…