A profile of the state of English and English instruction in New Zealand covers the following topics: a description of the role and status of English language use in industry and commerce, government, and education; the role of English at all levels of the educational system; the availability and training of teachers of English, the type of materials support available for instruction; educational administration in relation to English instruction, development and planning for the teaching of English; the type of and demand for English instruction outside the educational system; the level of British, American, and other agency support for English instruction; commercial opportunities and creative writing; and current research on English language and literature. It is concluded that with regard to the teaching of English, there is a tension between the search for a national identity and the strong attraction in the universities for traditional English studies. A search is under way for teaching and assessment techniques to encourage continued mastery of English as the main international language while making possible recognition of distinctive forms of New Zealand native expression within it. A short bibliography is also included. (MSE)