NEWS & UPDATES

Consultation: New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Strategy

05 May 2025
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and the New Zealand Sign Language Board have released a draft NZSL Strategy for feedback.
 
The draft strategy can be found here www.tinyurl.com/mrx8nkcu.
 
NZSL enables Deaf people to live their lives to their full potential. However, Deaf people, especially Turi Māori (Māori Deaf people), often face barriers in seeking to access services and community spaces using NZSL. This has significant and negative impacts on their health and well-being.
 
The strategy’s vision is “New Zealand Sign Language everywhere, every day”. It aims to create the change needed across government agencies and the public to support and enable Deaf people to fully participate in society using NZSL.
 
The NZSL Board’s role is to maintain and promote NZSL in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NZSL Strategy supports the Board by guiding its work priorities over the next five years. The strategy also guides the Board’s decisions on what to fund, including Community Grants and contracts.
 
Your feedback on this draft strategy will help shape the final strategy.
 
Consultation closes on 2 June 2025. 
 
For more information, contact the NZSL Team at nzsl_strategy@whaikaha.govt.nz.