Official Languages of New Zealand: Māori, NZSL & English
If you’ve ever wondered why English isn’t officially listed as an official language of New Zealand, you’re not alone. The country has three official languages — te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language by law, and English by everyday use — but only two are enshrined in legislation. This article separates the legal status from the linguistic reality, drawing on government sources, census data, and historical records.
Official languages: 3 (Māori, NZSL, English de facto) ·
English speakers: 95.4% of population ·
Te reo Māori speakers: ~4% (approx 185,000) ·
Year Māori became official: 1987 ·
Year NZSL became official: 2006
Quick snapshot
- Te reo Māori became official in 1987 (New Zealand Legislation – Māori Language Act 1987).
- New Zealand Sign Language became official in 2006 (New Zealand Legislation – NZSL Act 2006).
- English is the de facto official language (Ministry of Social Development (NZ) – advice on English as official language).
- Whether English will ever be granted de jure official status — an English Language Bill was introduced in 2014 but has not passed.
- Exact number of fluent te reo Māori speakers (census data is self-reported).
- Future impact of revitalisation efforts on daily language use.
- 1840 – Treaty of Waitangi signed; English used in colonial administration. (NZHistory – history of Māori language)
- 1867 – Native Schools Act mandates English-only education (NZHistory – history of Māori language).
- 1987 – Māori Language Act declares te reo Māori official. (NZHistory – history of Māori language)
- 2006 – New Zealand Sign Language Act gives NZSL official status. (NZHistory – history of Māori language)
- Continued growth of Māori-medium education and kōhanga reo (language nests).
- Potential for English to gain de jure status if renewed political will emerges.
- Ongoing efforts to normalise NZSL through early childhood education and media.
Six key facts, one pattern: New Zealand’s language policy is a story of colonial dominance followed by a statutory correction. Here’s the data pulled from government records and census figures.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 3 |
| Year te reo Māori became official | 1987 |
| Year NZ Sign Language became official | 2006 |
| English speakers (% of population) | 95.4% (Stats NZ – 2018 Census) |
| Te reo Māori speakers (% of population) | 4% (NZHistory – Māori language data) |
| NZ Sign Language users (approx) | 22,986 |
What are the official languages of New Zealand?
How many official languages does New Zealand have?
New Zealand has three official languages: te reo Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, and English (de facto). The first two are enshrined in legislation, while English holds its official status through long-standing custom and usage rather than a statute declaring it so (Ministry of Social Development (NZ) – advice on English as official language).
Is English an official language of New Zealand?
English is the de facto official language but not de jure. It has been the dominant language of government, media, and everyday life since the colonial period (Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand – English language). No law explicitly declares it official, unlike te reo Māori and NZSL.
When was English made an official language?
English has never been formally made an official language in New Zealand. An English Language Bill was introduced in Parliament in 2014 but did not pass. The country continues with English as the default language of public administration without a statutory declaration.
English is the country’s most widely spoken language and the language of all government business, but it has no legal claim to the title “official language.” That gap highlights how New Zealand’s language policy evolved reactively, prioritising protection of te reo Māori and NZSL while assuming English would take care of itself.
The implication: New Zealand’s language framework remains incomplete—the dominant language operates without statutory backing while the protected languages rely entirely on legislation for their status.
Why isn’t English an official language of New Zealand?
What is the legal status of English in New Zealand?
English sits in a legal grey area. It is not listed in any statute as an official language, yet it is used in all parliamentary proceedings, courtrooms, and government documents. The 1986 Waitangi Tribunal report on te reo Māori found that Māori language is a taonga (treasure) and that the Crown has an obligation to protect it (Waitangi Tribunal – Te Reo Māori Report 1986). That recognition did not extend to English because English was never under threat.
Why wasn’t English included in the official languages act?
The Māori Language Act 1987 was designed to revitalise a language in decline. English was already dominant and needed no legislative protection. The same logic applied when the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006 was passed. The focus was on elevating the status of languages that had been marginalised, not on codifying the dominant one.
For immigrants and international visitors, the lack of de jure status for English rarely causes confusion in practice. But it does mean that legal protections for using English in official contexts are weaker than those for te reo Māori and NZSL, which can lead to gaps in access to justice and public services.
The pattern: legislative protection flows to languages under threat, while the majority language operates on default—a reactive policy approach rather than a deliberate multilingual strategy.
What are the top 3 languages spoken in New Zealand?
Which languages are most common after English?
- English – 95.4% of the population can hold a conversation in English.
- Te reo Māori – approximately 4% (around 185,000 people).
- Samoan – roughly 2% of the population, making it the third most widely spoken language.
Other significant languages include Hindi, Mandarin, and Tagalog, reflecting New Zealand’s diverse immigrant communities.
How many people speak te reo Māori?
According to early 21st-century data, about 125,000 people of Māori ethnicity could speak and understand te reo Māori (NZHistory – Māori language data). The 2018 census recorded 22,986 people reporting they could use New Zealand Sign Language.
Revitalisation efforts have increased the number of te reo Māori speakers, but the language remains endangered in daily use. The majority of Māori speakers are concentrated in older generations and specific regions. Without sustained policy support, the gains could stall.
What this means: revitalisation is a race against generational attrition, and census self-reporting makes true fluency figures difficult to verify.
Why were Māori not allowed to speak Māori?
What was the Tohunga Suppression Act?
The Tohunga Suppression Act 1907 targeted Māori healers and tohunga (experts in traditional knowledge), effectively criminalising aspects of Māori cultural practice. While not a direct language ban, it contributed to the suppression of Māori culture and language.
How did colonisation affect te reo Māori?
Colonisation brought English as the language of governance, commerce, and education. The Native Schools Act 1867 required that instruction be conducted in English, and children were often punished for speaking Māori at school. By the 1970s, te reo Māori was critically endangered, with fewer than 20% of Māori able to speak it fluently.
What is the history of Māori language suppression?
- 1867 – Native Schools Act: English-only education policies.
- 1907 – Tohunga Suppression Act: targets Māori knowledge holders.
- 1972 – Māori language petition: 30,000 signatures demand official recognition and teaching of te reo (NZHistory – Māori language petition).
- 1987 – Māori Language Act: declares te reo an official language.
The implication: The same government that once suppressed the language now funds its revitalisation. The pendulum has swung, but the damage of a century of English-only policy is still measurable.
Do New Zealanders actually say ‘Kia Ora’?
What does ‘Kia Ora’ mean?
Kia ora is a Māori greeting that translates roughly as “be well” or “hello”. It is used widely across New Zealand, including by non-Māori, and is considered a national greeting comparable to “g’day” in Australia (Encyclopaedia Britannica – Māori language).
How do you say ‘hi’ in New Zealand?
The most common greeting is “Kia ora”. Other informal options include “G’day” (Australian-influenced English) and “Yeah, nah” (a colloquial expression that can mean both agreement and disagreement depending on tone). In formal settings, “Tēnā koe” (to one person) or “Tēnā koutou” (to a group) are used.
What are other common Māori greetings?
- Kia ora koutou – hello to three or more people.
- Tēnā koe – formal greeting to one person.
- Kia ora tātou – inclusive greeting meaning “hello to us all”.
Widespread use of “Kia ora” in media, government, and retail means that visitors hear it constantly. It has become a marker of New Zealand identity, not just a Māori phrase.
Using Māori greetings is a low-effort way for newcomers to signal respect and participate in New Zealand’s bicultural identity. For non-Māori, learning a few phrases like “Kia ora” and “tēnā koe” can build social connection in a country where te reo is gaining everyday acceptance.
Confirmed facts
- English is the de facto official language of New Zealand.
- Te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are de jure official.
- English is spoken by 95.4% of the population.
- Te reo Māori was suppressed by colonial policies.
What’s unclear
- Whether English will ever be granted de jure official status.
- Exact number of fluent te reo Māori speakers (census self-reported).
- Future impact of revitalisation efforts on daily use.
- Whether the Māori Language Act alone can fully reverse the decline of te reo Māori without broader social policy support.
Quotes from authoritative sources
English is the most common language, with 95.4% of New Zealanders able to hold a conversation in English.
English is the de facto official language of New Zealand; the other two official languages are te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.
Te reo Māori is a taonga and the Crown has obligations to protect it under the Treaty of Waitangi.
For New Zealand policymakers and language advocates, the choice is clear: protect the gains in te reo Māori and NZSL, or risk losing momentum toward a truly multilingual society. For newcomers, learning simple greetings like “Kia ora” is the easiest step into that identity.
One of New Zealand’s official languages is New Zealand Sign Language, and the annual NZ Sign Language Week 2025 celebrates its culture and community.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between de facto and de jure official languages?
De facto means “in practice” — the language is used officially even though no law says so. De jure means “by law” — the language is explicitly declared official in legislation. English is de facto; te reo Māori and NZSL are de jure.
Can you get by with only English in New Zealand?
Yes. English is universally used in government, business, and daily life. Knowing Māori or NZSL is not necessary for functioning, but learning a few Māori phrases is culturally appreciated.
Is New Zealand Sign Language widely used?
About 22,986 people reported NZSL ability in the 2018 census. It is an official language and used in deaf education, but not widely understood by the hearing population.
What is the origin of the word ‘Pākehā’?
‘Pākehā’ is a Māori term used to describe New Zealanders of European descent. Its etymology is uncertain, but it has been in use since the early 19th century.
Do you need to know Māori to live in New Zealand?
No. English is sufficient for all aspects of life. However, familiarity with basic Māori greetings and place names is helpful for cultural understanding.
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