New Zealand's Central Bank Defends Māori Language Use

Facts

• Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Governor Adrian Orr has defended the use of the Māori language within the bank's official communications amid an attempt by the country's new coalition government to reduce the use of indigenous language in favor of English within the public sector.¹
• While agreements made by the new coalition government — led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon — require all government agencies to primarily use English for department names and communications, Orr has stated that he will continue to use the name 'Te Putea Matua' as well as the 'Reserve Bank of New Zealand.'²
• While claiming that RBNZ held a 'proud position' on the matter, the governor acknowledged that the central bank would have to 'deal with whatever the mandate is.' Orr continued that, following a meeting with PM Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis on Tuesday, the 'vibe in the room' was 'incredibly constructive.'³
• The coalition government has announced that legislation to remove employment targets from RBNZ will be its first law passed as the country's parliament is set to return next week. In 2018, RBNZ's monetary policy mandate was changed to both promote price stability and support maximum sustainable employment.⁴
• Orr made the comments during a media conference following an RBNZ monetary policy meeting in light of the Luxon coalition's manifesto for its first 100 days in office — which also includes a reversal on the country's generational cigarette ban.¹

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²RTE, ³Bloomberg and ⁴Interest.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by NZ Herald. The new coalition government has taken mere days to begin undermining Māori communities. No matter who holds a majority in New Zealand's parliament, the rights of the Māori community must be protected, and any attempt to reduce indigenous involvement in New Zealand's future will be met with stern resistance.
• Right narrative, as provided by The BFD. New Zealand's left, now finally out of power, have already begun to cry over the planned removal of their Māori policies which has only divided the country. Māoris are New Zealanders like everybody else, and they should not be given special treatment to the detriment of the majority of the population due to their race. Luxon's government is already returning common sense to the country.