This Government bill puts the official status of the English language into legislation. English has long been a de facto official language — widely used and accepted as one — but its status is not currently set out in statute. The bill's explanatory note states that recognising English will not affect the status or use of te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language as New Zealand's two other official languages, and that as the predominant language English needs no provision to continue being used in the courts, Parliament and government communications. It is still before Parliament.
This Government bill would formally recognise English as an official language of New Zealand by passing a short English Language Act. English is already the country's predominant language and is used throughout government, the courts and Parliament, but that status has never been written into statute. The bill's explanatory note says recognising English would not affect the official status or use of te reo Māori or New Zealand Sign Language.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters introduced the bill, arguing it corrects an 'anomaly' whereby the two other official languages are recognised in law but English is not. Legal commentators note it would not change any existing rule or practice. Supporters say it affirms a shared common language; critics, including the Green Party and some Māori MPs, call it unnecessary 'virtue signalling' that adds nothing legally and downplays the history of te reo Māori and the deaf community.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.