World · 3 August 2026
New Zealand makes English an official language despite 95% already speaking it
Michal Klajban via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The legislation passed on 30 July following an agreement between the ruling National party and its populist coalition partner, New Zealand First. Justice officials had warned the government against the move, pointing out that the widely spoken language needs no special legal shield. Green Party politician Tamatha Paul attracted huge internet traffic when she branded the measure a pathetic waste of time.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs