Labour backs Kaye’s language bill

10 ‘‘priority’’ languages – including te reo Maori and New Zealand Sign Language – resourced so that any school could teach them. School boards would consult with communities to work out which priority language would be taught at their school.

Kaye expects the languages would include Mandarin, Ma¯ ori, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Hindi and Pasifika languages.

Labour and the Greens have only signed for first reading, meaning they could still reject the bill following the select committee process.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the bill had issues, but he was keen to advance the cause of second language learning.

‘‘Second language learning makes sense. We know from research and evidence that if kids learn a second language they tend to be better at their first language,’’ Hipkins said.

‘‘Is the bill perfect? No it’s not. Are there issues with this bill? Yes there are. But the select committee process gives us the opportunity to at least have the debate about second language learning.

‘‘It might be that the bill itself isn’t the right answer to second language learning but the select committee can work through that.’’

Kaye said she was rapt to have the support of Labour, the Greens, and ACT. ‘‘As a diverse country it’s important that New Zealand embraces second language learning. Speaking more than one language has enormous cognitive, cultural, social and economic benefits, so this bill presents a big opportunity for our country.’’