Is it sexist for wives to take their husband's name when they get married?

It has always been tradition for a woman to take her husband's last name when they get married, but this morning the Breakfast team discussed whether or not it is sexist.

The discussion was prompted by Matty McLean, who officiated at a wedding recently where the couple decided to hyphenate both their names. 

TVNZ's Breakfast hosts Jack Tame and Hayley Holt both said that simply expecting a woman to take her husband's name is sexist.

"I’ve always been perplexed that tradition has it that woman take the man's name, it’s like you’re treating woman as property,” Jack said.

Hayley Holt agreed: "Yes definitely, it's like I owned her and now you do."

News presenter Daniel Faitaua says it shouldn't be expected the wife takes the husband's name - it should be discussed first.

"It's a discussion couples should have, and shouldn't have to worry about what everyone else thinks."

Weather presenter Matty McLean is a marriage celebrant and he said for a lot of woman it is not just about taking on the husband's name.

"For a lot of woman it’s about wanting to share the same name as their children and as a family unit have the same name as well.”