The organisation advocates for the growth and teaching of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Our language became one of the country's official languages in 2006 alongside English and Māori and was added to the New Zealand School Curriculum.
A new name - and a new look
The Deaf Association of New Zealand Inc became Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand in 2009. Our new logo represents New Zealand's three languages: Māori, English and Sign Language. It represents our pride in being Deaf and Deaf peoples' place in the Pacific.
The design incorporates a butterfly, chosen as it has become synonymous with the Deaf community as a creature that is deaf, free, independent and liberated. That's just what Sign Language allows Deaf people to be.
DANZ is governed by elected members from the Deaf community and guided by a constitution.
