Julia GabelPolitical Journalist·NZ Herald·30 Jul, 2026 06:38 AM3 mins to read‌New Zealand First leader Winston Peters campaigned at the last election on giving English an official status in legislation. Photo / Mark MitchellA Green MP has called English a “bastard” language during a fiery Parliamentary debate of a bill that makes English an official language alongside te reo Māori and sign language.

Before the last election, New Zealand First campaigned on giving English an official status in legislation. The issue was