During the final session of the week, Parliament engaged in a debate on a bill that the minister responsible admitted was not a top priority. The government proposed a bill to officially recognize English as a language, sparking both ridicule from the opposition and a strong defense from Winston Peters.
The bill aims to establish English as an official language alongside Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language, without affecting the status of these languages. The legislation, spanning just two pages, acknowledges that while English has been a de facto official language, it has not been formally legislated.
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, who introduced the bill, downplayed its significance, stating that it was not a top priority for the government. Winston Peters took the lead in presenting arguments in favor of the bill, citing examples from other jurisdictions like Canada, Ireland, and Wales that have similar English language legislation.
Opposition MPs criticized the bill, questioning the government’s focus on this issue. Labour MP Duncan Webb and Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick expressed concerns about the bill diverting attention from more pressing matters like severe weather events and unemployment.
The debate also saw Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara speaking entirely in te reo Māori, labeling the bill as a waste of time. Labour MP Dr Ayesha Verrall shared a personal story about her mother’s journey with the English language, highlighting the impact of language on societal attitudes.
The first reading of the bill was delayed due to an opposition filibuster, pushing Winston Peters’ speech to a later time. Despite efforts to expedite the process, the debate was adjourned with two speeches pending, to be resumed on 3 March due to Parliament going into recess.
