Legislation recognising English as an official language of New Zealand has been passed by parliament and became law on 30 July. This gives English, which is spoken by 95% of the country, the same official status as te reo Māori (Māori language) and New Zealand sign language.
The bill was a component of a coalition agreement between the centre-right National party and the minor populist New Zealand First party. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has previously opposed affirmative initiatives for Māori.
Ministry of justice officials had advised against passing the bill, stating there was no evidence to support concerns about the use or status of English. They noted that te reo Māori and New Zealand sign language became official to protect linguistic minorities.
Despite this, the coalition government and the major opposition Labour party voted in favour of the bill. Minor opposition parties, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, voted against it. Green MP Tamatha Paul called the bill “a pathetic waste of the responsibility of this house” during the debate.
New Zealand First MP Casey Costello defended the law, stating it was a practical measure that aligns the statute book with longstanding practice and provides clarity on English's status. Dr Sidney Wong, a linguist, suggested the bill was based on an ideological perception that English was under threat, despite it not needing legislative protection.