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English Language Bill

Royal assent · Introduced by Hon Paul Goldsmith · National Party

Last checked
July 30, 2026 17:05
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July 30, 2026 17:05
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View on Parliament.nz

What this bill does

According to the bill’s explanatory material, English is widely used and accepted as an official language in New Zealand but its official status is not set out in legislation. To give English legislative recognition as an official language of New Zealand. The bill declares English to be an official language of New Zealand, binds the Crown, and does not alter the status or use of te reo Māori or New Zealand Sign Language.

AI-assisted summary based on the bill text and linked Hansard debates.

Arguments raised in Parliament

AI-assisted summary of the linked Hansard debates. Each point is grounded in the cited transcript.

Arguments for

No distinct for arguments were identified in the linked debates.

Arguments against

No distinct against arguments were identified in the linked debates.

Bill text

English Language Bill

Version published February 16, 2026 00:00.

English Language Bill EXPLANATORY NOTE GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT This Bill provides for the recognition of the official status of the English language in New Zealand in legislation. The English language has long been a de facto official language in New Zealand, that is, widely used and accepted as an official language, but its official language status is not set out in legislation. This Bill puts the official status of the English language in legislation. Legislative recognition of the status of English as an official language will not affect the status or use of te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language as the 2 other official languages of New Zealand. As the predominant language of New Zealand, English does not require provision to continue to be used in the courts, Parliament, and government communications. DEPARTMENTAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The Ministry of Justice is required to prepare a disclosure statement to assist with the scrutiny of this Bill. The disclosure statement provides access to information about the policy development of the Bill and identifies any significant or unusual legislative features of the Bill. A copy of the statement can be found at http://legislation…
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English Language Bill EXPLANATORY NOTE GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT This Bill provides for the recognition of the official status of the English language in New Zealand in legislation. The English language has long been a de facto official language in New Zealand, that is, widely used and accepted as an official language, but its official language status is not set out in legislation. This Bill puts the official status of the English language in legislation. Legislative recognition of the status of English as an official language will not affect the status or use of te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language as the 2 other official languages of New Zealand. As the predominant language of New Zealand, English does not require provision to continue to be used in the courts, Parliament, and government communications. DEPARTMENTAL DISCLOSURE STATEMENT The Ministry of Justice is required to prepare a disclosure statement to assist with the scrutiny of this Bill. The disclosure statement provides access to information about the policy development of the Bill and identifies any significant or unusual legislative features of the Bill. A copy of the statement can be found at http://legislation.govt.nz/disclosure.aspx?type=bill&subtype=government&year=2025&no=198 CLAUSE BY CLAUSE ANALYSIS Clause 1 is the Title clause. Clause 2 is the commencement clause. The Bill comes into force on the day after Royal assent. Clause 3 describes the purpose of the Bill. Clause 4 provides that the Bill will bind the Crown. Clause 5 provides that the English language is an official language of New Zealand. The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows: 1 Title This Act is the English Language Act 2025 . 2 Commencement This Act comes into force on the day after Royal assent. 3 Purpose The purpose of this Act is to provide legislative recognition of the status of English as an official language of New Zealand. 4 Act binds the Crown This Act binds the Crown. 5 English is an official language of New Zealand English is an official language of New Zealand.

Hansard

July 23, 2026

English Language Bill — Report of Committee of the whole House · Full day report

English Language Bill Report of Committee of the whole House CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): Mr Speaker, the committee has considered the Arms Bill and reports it with amendment. The committee has also considered the Employment Leave Bill and reports that no progress has been made on the bill. The committee has also considered the English Language Bill and reports that it has made no progress on the bill. I move, That the report be adopted. Motion agreed to. Reported adopted. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O'Connor): The Arms Bill is set down for third reading next sitting day. The remaining bills are set down for further consideration in committee next sitting day. The House is adjourned until 2 p.m. next Tuesday. The House adjourned at 6.01 p.m.
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English Language Bill Report of Committee of the whole House CHAIRPERSON (Barbara Kuriger): Mr Speaker, the committee has considered the Arms Bill and reports it with amendment. The committee has also considered the Employment Leave Bill and reports that no progress has been made on the bill. The committee has also considered the English Language Bill and reports that it has made no progress on the bill. I move, That the report be adopted. Motion agreed to. Reported adopted. ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Greg O'Connor): The Arms Bill is set down for third reading next sitting day. The remaining bills are set down for further consideration in committee next sitting day. The House is adjourned until 2 p.m. next Tuesday. The House adjourned at 6.01 p.m.

Documents and supporting material