English Language Bill
Thank you, Mr Chair. I do want to check, in terms of the commencement date, when you’re looking at the fact that the bill comes into force on the day after Royal assent. I just wondered if, for example, that would be the most appropriate commencement date for this bill. I do feel like, if this is indeed something that the Minister has expressed, wanting to officialise the English language, legislatively speaking—you know, noting again that English is already an official language—I would say that, perhaps, maybe an appropriate commencement date would be 6 February 2027. I think, you know, just to do it on Waitangi Day for some irony. Alternatively, next year’s Matariki as a way of signalling a new beginning.
Would that be something that the Minister would consider? I do feel like, if this is something that the Government is really gung-ho about—which is technically English despite the fact that it has Chinese origins—it should be something that is taken a little bit more seriously than simply the day after Royal assent.
Yes, we do take it very seriously. That is why it will be coming into force after Royal assent.
A party vote was called for on the question, That clause 2 be agreed to.
Ayes 101
New Zealand National 48; New Zealand Labour 34; ACT New Zealand 11; New Zealand First 8.
Noes 20
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand 14; Te Pāti Māori 4; Ferris; Kapa-Kingi.
Clause 2 agreed to.
Committee of the whole House
Clause 3 Purpose
CHAIRPERSON (Teanau Tuiono): We now come to clause 3. This is the debate on clause 3, “Purpose”. The question is that clause 3 stand part.