In NZ, Maaori's official status means that all government documentation is available in two languages (my passport for example is in both). All government departments have two names, and my favourite is the Inland Revenue Department Te Tari Taake.
It also means that the languages are sanctioned for use in court, meaning that the entire proceedings of a court can be conducted in that language. Apparently, this was a big part of the reason for making NZSL an official language. Also, in Parliament, an MP can speak in any of the official languages without being required to translate, as used to be the case before Maaori was granted official status.


noho ora mai
http://maxqnzs.com/References.html