A measure that appears largely symbolic has triggered sharp criticism, raising fresh questions about language, identity, and the protection of Māori.
The New Zealand Government has passed a bill that will officially make English one of the country’s languages.
The move has been widely mocked across the Pacific region, where English is already extensively used, including in the courts and Parliament.
The English Language Bill states that adding English as an official language alongside Māori and New Zealand Sign Language will not introduce any new rules governing the use of English in legal, political or governmental contexts or documents.
According to the government, more than 95% of the country’s population – nearly 4.8 million people – spoke English as of 2023; 4.3% spoke Māori and 0.5% used sign language.
Timeline of the bill’s passage
The bill, introduced by the National–New Zealand First coalition, which is part of the coalition government, passed its third reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday.
“condemned the move as a waste of time, saying that the government, which has been called a ‘snowflake,’ sees te reo Māori and trembles in its boots.”
– Tamatha Paul
In a video of her speech during the reading, which garnered more than six million views, Tamatha Paul criticized the decision.
Māori held primary status as New Zealand’s main language before the country became a British colony in 1840. It became an official language in the early 1980s, when a series of revitalization programs was launched.
Paul added that Māori has protected status because it was systematically suppressed; people had spoken in Parliament, calling for the country’s Indigenous language to be recognized and preventing it from being devalued among its speakers.
She also noted that English is not formally an official language in England. “Even they understand that it’s simply ridiculous.”
The opposition Labour Party supported the bill, despite reservations among some of its members. During the debate, Labour MP Camilla Belich remarked ironically: “I was wondering whether they could pass legislation to change the seasons?”
According to a report by the Justice Committee, written submissions were received from 1,601 people and groups during a hearing in June, with nearly two-thirds opposing further action.
Supporters of the bill believe that its passage will clarify the status of English and introduce no new rights, but merely confirm what had previously been widely understood.
“The purpose of this short, straightforward bill is to enshrine in legislation what New Zealand has long regarded as established fact: namely, that English is an official language of our country.”
– Casey Costello
Costello also argued that, despite the controversy, the bill is important for formalizing the existing status of English without granting any new rights.
In its conclusion, Parliament stated that the law would not bring about significant changes to the legal system, but would help clarify the status of English in government documents and legal proceedings. The bill was put to a vote following prolonged discussions in society and political circles.