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

2: Commencement

You could also call this:

"When the new law starts"

This Act will start on the day after it gets Royal assent. You need to know that Royal assent is when the bill is agreed to by the Government. The Act will be law from that day onwards.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1493979.

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

Topics:

Government and voting > Government departments

1: Title, or

"The English Language Act 2025: a law about the English language"

3: Purpose, or

"Making English an Official Language of New Zealand"

2Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day after Royal assent.