Parliamentary debate highlights the hard-won status of Te Reo Māori as English Bill passes

On 30 July 2026, the English Language Bill passed its third and final reading at Parliament, formally establishing English as an official language of New Zealand alongside Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. While the bill was introduced as a coalition commitment to provide legal clarity, the parliamentary debate served as a significant platform for highlighting the unique and hard-won status of the Māori language. Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara spoke in Te Reo Māori during the debate, reflecting on the historical struggle and the "pain Māori has taken" to secure the language's place within Aotearoa. Her contribution underscored that while English has long been the de facto language of communication, the official status of Te Reo Māori represents a profound victory for indigenous rights and cultural preservation. Green MP Tamatha Paul also defended the protected status of the indigenous language, noting that the recognition of Te Reo Māori was the result of dedicated advocacy and public demand. Paul referenced her recent visit to the Welsh Senedd, where the indigenous language Cymraeg is prioritised, as an example of how valuing indigenous identity strengthens a nation’s character. New Zealand First MP Casey Costello, who supported the bill, clarified that the new legislation does not change any existing legal protections afforded to Te Reo Māori. The bill, standing at just two pages long, acknowledges that while English is widely used, its official status had not previously been set out in legislation. The proceedings concluded with the bill passing into law, leaving the established legal protections and the cultural prestige of Te Reo Māori fully intact.