Coalition advances bill to make English an official language in New Zealand

A bill to recognise English as an official language of New Zealand cleared its first parliamentary hurdle after a coalition vote, allowing it to move to select committee stage for public consultation and further readings. The measure is part of the coalition deal between New Zealand First and the National party and was backed on the first reading by the coalition, which also includes the Act party; the timing for further stages is not clear, but the bill has widespread government support and is likely to become law.

The proposal would give English, spoken by 95% of the country, the same official status as te reo Māori and New Zealand sign language, and states the status and use of the existing official languages would not be affected. Ministers argued English had never been deemed official and that the bill would "correct that anomaly", with one saying it was a step towards ensuring "logic and common sense prevails" when the vast majority of New Zealanders communicate in English.

New Zealand

english, official language, new zealand, te reo, sign language, coalition, national party, act party, select committee, first reading