New Zealand Parliament Passes Bill Formally Recognizing English as an Official Language

New Zealand lawmakers have passed a bill to formally recognize English as an official language, joining Māori and sign language in the country's official framework. The legislation, championed by the New Zealand First party, clarifies the long-standing de facto status of English, which is spoken by 95% of the population. The bill does not introduce new legal rules or rights for English, as it remains the primary working language in government and legal settings. Casey Costello, a member of the New Zealand First party, defended the move as a practical measure that aligns the statute book with longstanding practice. However, the bill faced criticism from opposition members who viewed it as a

Sources

• CNN
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• The Guardian
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• rnz.co.nz
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