English becomes New Zealand’s official language alongside Te Reo Māori and sign language
Parliament has passed the English Language Bill, making English an official language of New Zealand for the first time.
The English Language Bill has passed its third and final reading in Parliament, granting English official status alongside Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. The legislation represents a coalition agreement outcome between National and NZ First. The bill's passage prompted debate in the House, with opposition MPs questioning whether the measure was necessary or appropriate given the different historical treatment of English and te reo Māori.
Covered byRNZOtago Daily TimesThe SpinoffNot covered byStuffNZ Herald1NewsNewstalk ZBNewsroomBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz
Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
RNZ
English becomes official language of NZ alongside Te Reo Māori and sign language
The the English Language Bill has passed its third and final reading at Parliament.
RNZ
English to become official language of NZ alongside Te Reo Māori and sign language
The English Language Bill has passed its third and final reading at Parliament.
Otago Daily Times
English to become NZ’s third official language
The Spinoff
Echo Chamber: As English is made official, a ‘certain politician’ tests its limits
This week in parliament: the PM drew a line in the sand over a promising up-and-comer, and things only got worse for a ‘certain politician’. Plus, for the first time ever, you can now legally read this column in English.…