This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

English Language Bill

Introduction

You could also call this:

"What the law says about making English an official language"

This Bill is about making English an official language in New Zealand law. You will see that English is already widely used and accepted as an official language in New Zealand. The Bill will make it official in legislation. The English language is used a lot in New Zealand, but it is not yet in the laws. This Bill will change that by adding English to the laws. You will still see te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language as official languages. As English is the main language in New Zealand, it will still be used in courts, Parliament, and government communications. You won't see any changes to how English is used in these places. The Bill is just about making English official in the laws.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1493975-general-policy-statement.

This page was last updated on 17 February 2026 — View changes

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departmentsRights and equality > Anti-discriminationMāori affairs > Treaty of Waitangi

English Language Bill, or

"Making English a Special Language in New Zealand"

Departmental disclosure statement, or

"Information to help you understand the English Language Bill"

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.