Wellington businessman Sir Bob Jones is due in court today, filing a defamation case against writer Renae Maihi

Jones claims he was defamed in 2018 when Maihi began an online petition asking for Jones to be stripped of his knighthood for 'hate speech'.

It followed a column by Jones in the National Business Review where he proposed Waitangi Day be called "Gratitude Day".

Jones says Maihi's words were false and he was defamed by implications he was a racist and wrote hate speech.

While Jones' claim doesn't seek damages, he wants the court to declare Maihi defamed him and should be ordered to pay his legal costs.

The hearing is set down for two weeks at the High Court in Wellington.