New Zealand legislation making English an official language ridiculed as ‘pathetic’

New Zealand's parliament passed legislation on July 30 making English an official language alongside te reo Māori and New Zealand sign language, despite Ministry of Justice advice that English faced no status concerns. The bill, part of a coalition deal between the National and New Zealand First parties, grants official recognition to a language already spoken by 95% of the country, prompting criticism from linguists and MPs who called it a "pathetic waste" and ideologically driven.

Legal experts and linguists questioned the bill's necessity, noting that official language status typically protects linguistic minorities under threat. Dr. Sidney Wong, a linguist at Te Pūnaha Matatini, said the measure was based on ideology rather than evidence of English facing any genuine threat to its status or prestige in New Zealand. The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori opposed the legislation; Labour voted in favor despite earlier opposing it, citing a desire to end the "needless culture war."