New Zealand legislation making English an official language ridiculed as ‘pathetic’

Legislation recognizing English as an official language in New Zealand has passed parliament, sparking derision from linguists and legal experts. The English Language Bill, which became law on July 30, grants English, spoken by 95% of the population, the same official status as te reo Māori and New Zealand sign language.

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a pathetic waste of the responsibility of this house

The bill was a component of a coalition agreement between the center-right National Party and the populist New Zealand First party, led by Winston Peters, who has historically opposed affirmative initiatives for Māori. Ministry of Justice officials had advised against the bill, stating there was "no evidence to support concerns about the use or status of English as an official language." They noted that te reo Māori and New Zealand sign language were made official to protect linguistic minorities.

Despite the opposition from minor parties like the Greens and Te Pāti Māori, the coalition government and the major opposition Labour Party voted in favor. During the debate, Green MP Tamatha Paul described the bill as a "pathetic waste of the responsibility of this house," in a speech that gained significant online traction. Paul criticized the coalition government, suggesting they "shiver in their boots" at the mention of Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand.

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snowflakes who saw the word Aotearoa – the Māori name for New Zealand – and “shiver in their boots”

Representing New Zealand First, MP Casey Costello defended the law, calling it a "practical measure" that aligns the statute book with practice and clarifies English's status. Winston Peters has previously argued the bill was needed due to perceived confusion caused by the use of Māori in public services. The Labour Party, while previously opposing the law, voted for it to move past a "needless culture war."

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This is a practical measure. It aligns the statute book with longstanding practice, and provides a clear statement about the status of English within New Zealand’s official framework

Linguist Dr. Sidney Wong criticized the bill, explaining that official language status is typically granted to languages needing protection, which English does not. He suggested the bill was driven by ideology, a perception that English lacked prestige and required legislative protection. Wong argued that funding research into New Zealand English would be a more beneficial use of resources than the "70-word legislation that’s not going to benefit anyone."

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needless culture war