NZ First's Winston Peters fiercely defended a bill to make English an official language. The government has introduced a bill to make English an official language, to ridicule from the opposition, and a fierce defence from Winston Peters. The legislation would see English be recognised as an official language alongside Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. There is no English Act or United Kingdom Act which sets out English as an official language, but I'm pretty sure they're comfortable with the fact that it's an official language of England and the United Kingdom." The English language can be used as a weapon, and that can lead to people having violent acts committed against them," she said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 19, 2026 20:21 UTC