New Zealand recognises three official languages: English, te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). English has been the de facto language since colonial times; it was not formally declared in law. Te reo Māori became an official language of New Zealand in 1987. In 2006, NZSL was legally recognised through the Parliament's Sign Language Act. Let's explore the linguistic landscape of New Zealand.
What Are the Official Languages of NZ?
As mentioned, there are technically three official languages in New Zealand: English, te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language. Let's explore each individually.
English
English is not named in any single piece of New Zealand legislation. So, is English an official language of NZ? Technically, not, but in practice, it's assumed that it's. After all, over 95% of the population can hold a conversation in English in New Zealand, complete with NZ-specific slang, and it's by far the most widely spoken language in the country.
‘De facto’ English means it’s used as the main language in government, courts, education, media, and daily life—even if not legally declared. In contrast, ‘de jure’ languages like Māori and NZSL are formally recognized by statute.
If you find this lack of official status odd, you should know that it's similar in Australia, and it was the same in the United States until an executive order to recognise it in 2025. In all of these places, English's status as a language reflected the countries' colonial pasts, with all being former colonies of the British Empire.
Te Reo Māori
Te Reo Māori, or the Māori Language, was recognised as an official language of New Zealand. It was the first indigenous language in the country to receive the status. While there was still some way to go to revitalise the language, it was an essential step on the road to recovery after years of decline.
This means that Government departments, courts, and many other public services are now required to accommodate the use of te reo Māori. It has also led to a growing presence in education, media, and public life, with Māori phrases and expressions even finding their way into English conversations in the country.
Here's a great video on the Māori language.
New Zealand Sign Language
NZSL was the country's third official language when the New Zealand Sign Language Act was passed in 2006. Technically, the second with official recognition, but it does join English and te reo Māori in terms of status. It has given Deaf New Zealanders the right to communicate in public spaces and access information and services using their native language. There are over 22,000 users of NZSL in New Zealand, and its status has contributed to improving cultural diversity and inclusivity in the country.
NZSL is an integral part of the Deaf community’s realisation of both mana and Deaf culture. NZSL is critical to New Zealand as a whole and part of what makes Aotearoa unique.
New Zealand Ministry of Education
Why Isn't English Declared an Official Language?
New Zealand English is by far the dominant language, but is not explicitly named as an official language in any single act of New Zealand legislation. So why hasn't it been formally approved?
Historical Reasons
New Zealand became a British colony in the 19th century, and English became the language of governance, law, and commerce. It became so integral to almost every aspect of society that a formal declaration was never seen as necessary; it was assumed. With legal documents, parliamentary proceedings, court sessions, and education all being in English, it didn't need the legal protections offered by an official status.
Its status as an official language is de facto, which means it is a practice that exists in reality without formal recognition by law. In countries where languages are widely used and under little to no threat, it's pretty standard to have a de facto national language. This is true in Australia, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, which have no national language in law, known as de jure.
Legal Recognition Through Other Acts
Despite its lack of legal status, English's status can be indirectly assumed, especially given the country's use of English in its laws. For example, the Interpretation Act 1999 presumed English for legal definitions. It's not officially listed, but it's definitely treated as such.
Cases for Formal Recognition
The muddy nature of English's official status in New Zealand means that some linguists and legal scholars believe that formalising its status could tie up some loose ends. Others believe that, given the language's dominance, there's no explicit need for any legal protections for it.
Māori: A National Treasure and Official Language
Te reo Māori is the language of the indigenous people of New Zealand or Aotearoa. It was the first to be legally recognised as an Official Language of New Zealand, and its status, unlike that of English, was sorely needed to reflect a cultural, historical, and legal commitment to Maori identity and rights.
Legal Recognition Through the Māori Language Act 1987
When the Māori Language Act 1987 was passed, it was a landmark moment. It followed years of advocacy from Māori leaders, educators, and communities during the 1970s and 80s, in particular. The Act gave people a legal right to use te reo Māori in legal proceedings and created the Māori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori) to promote the use of the language.
In New Zealand, the Māori language, ‘te reo Māori,’ is experiencing a revival… government aims to ensure 1 million residents can speak basic Māori by 2040.
Time
After decades of suppression, Māori people in New Zealand gained language rights, allowing them to speak their own language in homes, schools, and government institutions.
Te Reo in Everyday Life
Te reo Māori is now used in public broadcasts, government addresses, education, and has even started to find its way into casual conversation with English speakers. Many te reo Māori words are everyday vocabulary for English speakers. There's also Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) every September, celebrating and encouraging the use of the language.
Each September, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) promotes the daily use of te reo. Schools, businesses, and government departments host events and go bilingual, highlighting how official recognition impacts everyday life.
Cultural and National Importance
The Language Act helped honour the Treaty of Waitangi, which recognises indigenous sovereignty and promotes biculturalism in New Zealand. After all, culture and language are two sides of the same coin, and by recognising the language, it also allows for more open expression of the accompanying culture.
New Zealand Sign Language: Visibility Through Law
The recognition of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) in 2006 made it the second official language of New Zealand, formally acknowledging the language and the rights of the Deaf community in New Zealand.
Much like with te reo Māori, this means the language can be used in legal proceedings, government services, and official communication. The Act aimed to remove barriers and promote more equal participation for Deaf people in New Zealand.
In practice, NZSL users can request interpreters in court, at medical appointments, and when accessing government services. A byproduct of the Act is that it indirectly increases visibility and awareness for Deaf communities in New Zealand.
Emergency updates
Parliamentary sessions
Public broadcasts
How Languages Are Used in Daily Life in New Zealand
Each of the country's official languages serves different purposes in daily life, government, education, and media. Many people have had many things to say about New Zealand, but the fact remains that English is the primary language of most of the population in practice. However, the legal standings of Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are culturally and functionally significant in the lives of New Zealanders.
Te Reo Māori: Revitalisation in Action
Thanks to decades of revitalisation efforts, Te Reo Māori is increasingly visible and heard. It’s used in:
- Public signage (bilingual street signs and building names)
- Government communication
- Schools (especially in Kura Kaupapa Māori and bilingual education)
- Ceremonies and cultural events
between the 2013 and 2018 censuses.
NZ Sign Language: A Visual Voice
NZSL, one of the three official languages of NZ, is the primary language for thousands in the Deaf community. It’s used in:
- Education for Deaf students
- Government press briefings (especially during emergencies)
- Public broadcasting and interpreter services
Other Community Languages
New Zealand's diverse population also speaks many languages in addition to English. You'll hear:
- Samoan, Tongan, and Cook Islands Māori in Pacific communities
- Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, and Korean in urban areas
- French, German, Spanish, and Arabic in migrant and educational contexts
The Top 8 Spoken Languages in New Zealand
So, which are the most popular languages in New Zealand? Here are the top 8, including the number of speakers in New Zealand. This includes the official languages as well as some of the immigrant languages mentioned above.
| Rank | Language | Approx. Number of Speakers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 4920000 | Main language of communication, education, and media |
| 2 | Te Reo Māori | 185000 | Indigenous language, increasingly taught and used |
| 3 | Samoan | 86000 | Most spoken Pacific language in NZ |
| 4 | Hindi | 70000 | Common in Auckland; linked to Indian communities |
| 5 | Mandarin | 69000 | Widely spoken among Chinese communities |
| 6 | French | 48000 | Taught in schools; used by European and African migrants |
| 7 | Cantonese | 44000 | Spoken largely in Auckland and Wellington |
| 8 | Tagalog/Filipino | 35000 | Increasing due to migration from the Philippines |
Language and Identity: What It Means to Be a New Zealander
New Zealand is a multilingual country, by law. The languages spoken there are a result of the country's history, for better or worse. While English is the official and most common language by default, the Māori language is a key part of the country's cultural identity. Its use is the product of revitalisation efforts, recognition of the indigenous Māori people in the country, and New Zealand's heritage.
If you'd like to learn more about New Zealand English, te reo Māori, NZSL, or even the history and culture of New Zealand, why not look for a tutor on Superprof? Just search for what you'd like to study, and you can start browsing the tutors' profiles today.
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