The Justice and Electoral Select Committee has recommended the English Language Bill be passed without amendment, according to its report published on 28 June 2026.

The bill would make English an official language alongside te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language — formalising what has been a gradual process since the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006 established sign language's official status. The committee's no-amendment recommendation means the bill returns to Parliament in its original form.

The bill arrived at the committee on 3 March 2026 after its first reading, as recorded in parliamentary records. The committee then sought public submissions, as noted on Parliament's website. The four-month turnaround is standard for legislation of this type.

The bill's place in New Zealand's official languages framework

New Zealand currently recognises two official languages: te reo Māori under the Māori Language Act 1987, and New Zealand Sign Language since 2006. English, despite being the primary language of government, courts, and everyday use, has never held formal official status. This bill closes that gap.

The Government has also tightened English language requirements for migrants through policy changes in 2024, as noted in a ministerial address to the Annual Immigration Law Conference in March 2026. The two initiatives reflect a consistent policy direction on language, though they operate differently — one sets conditions for entry, the other grants formal status.

What happens next

A committee recommendation to pass without amendment carries real procedural weight. It prevents the government from tabling a Supplementary Order Paper (a formal request to alter the bill's wording) and signals sufficient cross-party support to clear the select committee stage — though the exact party breakdown has not been publicly reported.

The bill now moves to its second reading, where MPs debate the committee's findings, followed by committee of the whole House and third reading. The no-amendment recommendation suggests the second reading will not be extended. Whether Parliament uses urgency to speed up the final stages depends on the Government's legislative priorities.

In practical terms, official recognition is largely symbolic at first. English already governs New Zealand's laws and court system without a formal declaration. What the bill does do is place English on equal legal footing with te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. This move could shape future official languages policy, how government agencies use language, and any forthcoming legislation on language rights.

RNZ confirmed the committee's recommendation on 28 June 2026.