New Zealand Passes English Official-Language Bill Despite Opposition From Nearly Two-Thirds of 1,601 Submissions
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 3
New Zealand Passes English Official-Language Bill Despite Opposition From Nearly Two-Thirds of 1,601 Submissions
2 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 3
Summary
Parliament approved the English Language Bill at its third reading, formally adding English to New Zealand’s official languages alongside Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
More than 95% of New Zealanders — almost 4.8 million people — already spoke English in 2023, and the bill says no new rules are needed for its continued use in courts, parliament or government documents.
1,601 written submissions went to the Justice Committee, with almost two-thirds opposing the measure as a waste of resources that could deepen division and weaken protections for the two minority official languages.
New Zealand First, which pushed the bill as part of the governing coalition, said it simply codifies English’s long-assumed status, while critics including Green MP Tamatha Paul called it unnecessary and insulting to Māori language revival efforts.