"Lost in Translation: New Zealand's Bilingual Road Sign Plan Takes a Surprising Twist"

New Zealand's plan to introduce bilingual road signs featuring both English and te reo Maori languages has sparked a racially charged debate ahead of the country's general election. The government aims to promote cultural understanding and social cohesion with the Maori community, but right-wing opposition parties argue that the signs will jeopardize road safety. Supporters believe the signs are crucial for preserving Maori cultural heritage and language revitalization efforts. The example of Wales, where bilingual signs have improved safety, is cited as a parallel. While concerns about design and placement of signs exist, experts argue that poor design, not multiple languages, can be dangerous.