📋 English as an official language
← All policiesPuts the English language's long-standing de facto official status into law, alongside te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language - legislating this doesn't change either of those other two languages' own official status. Delivers a New Zealand First coalition agreement commitment from the 2023 government formation talks.
86% support in the most recent vote
How each party has stood on this policy over time. On a 🔄 Aye = against vote, whoever voted Aye is shown as opposing the policy, not supporting it. 🙋 Conscience vote rows show which way most of that party's MPs voted, plus what % voted Aye in the House.
| Vote | National | Labour | Green | ACT | NZ First | Te Pāti Māori |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
English Language Bill
✓ Passed
30 Jul 2026
· Third reading
|
✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes | ✓ Supports | ✓ Supports | ✕ Opposes |