New Zealand’s Parliament has passed legislation officially recognizing English as an official language, granting it equal status alongside te reo Māori (the Māori language) and New Zealand Sign Language. The bill formalizes the status of English, which is spoken by approximately 95% of the country's population, as an official language of New Zealand.

The move has attracted criticism from linguists and legal experts who question the necessity of the legislation. Officials from the Ministry of Justice had advised against enacting the bill, stating there was no evidence to suggest that English required formal legal recognition to maintain its status or use. Critics argue that English already functions as the de facto official language, rendering the law redundant.

Among the dissenters is a Māori member of Parliament, who expressed strong opposition to the measure. The MP’s response, widely circulated on social media, highlighted concerns that elevating English to official status alongside te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language could undermine efforts to promote and revitalize these indigenous languages.

Supporters of the bill contend that officially codifying English alongside the other two languages reinforces the country’s commitment to linguistic diversity and acknowledges the significant role English plays in New Zealand's national identity and public life.

New Zealand currently recognizes te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language as official languages through earlier legislation passed in 1987 and 2006, respectively. These languages have received special protection and promotion measures aimed at preserving indigenous culture and supporting communication access for the deaf community.

The passage of the English language bill marks a unique step in New Zealand’s language policy, sparking ongoing debate about how best to balance the dominant use of English with the preservation and promotion of Māori and sign languages amid the country’s multilingual landscape.