New Zealand MP praises Wales, says English is a “bastardisation of Greek”

A Māori Member of Parliament has praised Wales as a model for protecting indigenous languages during a passionate speech opposing legislation that makes English an official language of New Zealand.

Tamatha Paul, a Green Party MP for Wellington Central, delivered the remarks during a parliamentary debate on a bill that formally recognises English alongside te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. The speech has since gone viral.

Paul argued that the legislation was unnecessary because English already functions as New Zealand’s de facto official language. She also criticised Parliament for debating the issue while many New Zealanders are facing cost-of-living pressures.

During her address, Paul described English as “a bastard language,” noting that it has evolved from influences including Greek, Old Norse and Latin. She said Parliament should instead focus on more pressing issues.

The MP also criticised opponents of te reo Māori, accusing them of overreacting to the use of New Zealand’s Māori name, Aotearoa, and opposing greater visibility for the indigenous language.

Wales highlighted as an example

Drawing on a recent parliamentary visit to Wales, Paul praised the country’s commitment to bilingualism.

She noted that Welsh (Cymraeg) appears prominently on public signage, often before English, and said the widespread use of the language demonstrates a strong national commitment to preserving indigenous identity.

“The world didn’t fall over,” she said, arguing that bilingual signage has strengthened Wales’ cultural identity rather than creating confusion.

Paul contrasted this with actions by New Zealand’s current government, including changing the prominence of te reo Māori on passports and reducing the use of Māori names for government departments.

Protecting te reo Māori

Paul said te reo Māori deserves special protection because the language was historically suppressed, with generations of Māori discouraged or punished for speaking it.

She argued that recognising and promoting the language is part of preserving New Zealand’s indigenous heritage.

The MP also pointed out that, despite the new legislation, English does not have official legal status in England itself.

Māori language today

New Zealand has two long-established official languages by law: te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. English has long served as the country’s primary working language and is now formally recognised under the new legislation.

Te reo Māori became an official language through the Māori Language Act 1987.

According to census data, around 190,000 New Zealanders can hold an everyday conversation in Māori, while thousands of schoolchildren receive bilingual or Māori-medium education. Language revitalisation remains a major national goal, with Māori regarded as one of the country’s greatest cultural treasures.

Like Welsh, te reo Māori has a rich oral tradition encompassing ceremonial speeches, genealogy, songs, chants and the haka.

Earlier this month, Paul shared photos from her visit to Wales, praising the country’s language revitalisation efforts.

She highlighted that Welsh is one of Europe’s oldest living languages and noted that both Wales and New Zealand have set ambitious goals of reaching one million speakers of their indigenous languages through education and public use.

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