It's New Zealand Sign Language Week (NZSLW) from 30 April  - 6 May and Shortland Street is getting behind the cause. NZSL Week is organised by Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) and it's aim is to recognise and raising awareness of one of our country's official languages. NZSL Week is... more

The Human Rights Commission has chosen New Zealand Sign Language Week, 29 April-5 May 2012, as the occasion to announce that it will begin a formal public inquiry into the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and how it can be strengthened. “New Zealand Sign Language Week is a call to... more

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE POETRY (ASL) CHANGES ANETA BRODSKI’S LIFE IN DEaF JAM 2012 Documentary Edge Festival in Auckland and Wellington, NZ Screens this acclaimed high energy documentary   "Judy Lieff's Deaf Jam, about the phenomenon of the deaf getting into the poetry-jamming... more

In early March, Lachlan Keating (General Manager of Community Development) attended the International Conference on Transit Programme for the Deaf in Prague, Czech Republic. Transit is about transition from school into either tertiary education or employment. Delegates who attended were from Czech... more

Representatives from the Deaf Associations of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand came together in Geelong Australia in January to talk about Oceania as a new region under the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). We were delight to have representatives from the very new Samoa Deaf Club with us too.WFD... more

Silo Theatre is looking for a young deaf or hearing impaired male actor to join the cast of Nina Raine’s TRIBES. AUDITIONS The week commencing March 26.The auditioning actor must be between 20 and 30 years old. THE ROLE: BILLY20s. Deaf. Christopher and Beth’s youngest child. Born... more

Soon it will be NZSL Week again, and again it will be an exciting event. Every year, Deaf Aotearoa gets requests from the local newspapers who are eager to interview a Deaf person for an article during NZSL Week. We have always had to look for someone who would be suitable for an interview, but... more

Rachel Noble would like to have a few last words as Chief Executive of Deaf Aotearoa. more

Victoria Walters would like to introduce herself as the new Comnmunity Relations Officer for Canterbury and Westland. At the moment she is still in Auckland, but will be moving to Christchurch soon. more

Nelson Deaf incorporated events Monday 12th March at 6.30pm- pool night. Group meet at Suburban club for fun night playing pool. Two tables booked, $2 each game. NZSL Week Co-ordinator We would like to Welcome CathyGutschlag back to coordinate NZSL week 2012. Please contact Cathy if you are... more

At 5am on Sunday 25 March, two of the give way rules are changing to make New Zealand’s roads safer. Whether you drive, walk, cycle or ride, you’ll need to know about the changes to stay safe on the roads.  Until 25 March the current rules apply, and for obvious safety reasons... more

Mojo Mathers, New Zealand's first Deaf MP, is being forced to use her own personnel allowance to pay for the live closed captioning of Question Time debates [1]. Not only is this a prerequisite for her participation in the debate - an essential part of her job - but live closed... more

After five years as Chief Executive of Deaf Aotearoa, Rachel Noble will be leaving the organisation in mid-March. During her time in this role, Rachel has seen the national organisation grow and develop through promotion of the core community goals: Deaf Awareness and Deaf Access in order to... more

DEAFinitely Me workshops - 6 programmes: We have six exciting workshops coming up! Sunday 5th February will be about Identity, you will be aware of your own identity as well the others as well as learning about Deaf identity. And on 19th February will be about Community,you will learn about the... more

Yes, it’s on again! Australia’s only disability film festival is calling for films made by, with or about people with a disability, disabled or deaf. Films may be any form, genre or length. All entrants will receive a five-day Festival Pass, including invitations to OFF’s... more

It's a giant step forward for the deaf and hearing impaired communities on February 1st 2012, when SKY Television launches closed captioning on 13 popular channels. SKY has been working on the launch of captioning for several months; the project required considerable technical design... more

The president of the contests Mr. Josef Uhlir herewith announces to all countries, that as of 1st September 2011 Ms. Kasia Galasiewicz was hired to the position of Marketing Director of the contests as a part of the management, to communicate with all countries and all deaf girls around the world.... more

What is happening with Service Coordination? We have an Service Coordinator who will be working with all our Deaf Community Members in the Auckland region. This means we needs to focus on members who have priority/urgent issues. If you have a issue that is not urgent, please be patient and we will... more

Can my hearing husband/wife/partner attend the conference? Yes, they can the whole family is welcome as they are part of Deaf community/culture. There will be a workshop for hearing participants to talk about their family, how to raise CODA/deaf children and many opportunities to share with other... more

Kerri Swale is our new interpreter for our area. Kerri will start in February so if you need to book Kerri for your area contact isign.co.nz We have two Deafinitely Me workshops for January – February. Workshop #5 “Current Issues and your rights” First workshop is in... more

Workshops include Educating Deaf Parents of their Rights Sharing information with other Deaf parents from all over NZ International Guest speakers  How to raise CODAs & Deaf children? Accessing CODAs Children’s Education – compelling for Deaf Parents $100 per... more

Many of you will have seen our national anthem being signed on your screens at the recent Rugby World Cup. Now the spectacular event is over and I would like to share my experience being involved with this project in the last 2 - 3months. Twenty-five Deaf people auditioned and ten sign singers... more

During the Christmas season our Deaf Aotearoa offices will be closed for a few days. Please check your local office hours to find out when they re-open for 2012. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! christmas holidays closing dates: Northland: Closing date: Thursday 22nd... more

Comments from Deaf Community who attended the Red Zone Bus Tours on 20th November 2011 “Oh it’s great to be with Deaf all together again”“Lovely feeling us Deaf together”“Good to catch up & share through the earthquakes”“So sad through town but... more

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Disability Convention) focuses on the human rights of disabled people. The Disability Convention recognises that disabled people do not generally have the same access to human rights as other people do. It calls on governments worldwide... more

Wellington Deaf Society’s Christmas Dinner They are having their Christmas dinner next Saturday 10 December, starting at 6pm. Everyone is welcome, if you wish to join, please email events@wds.org.nz. WDS Members cost $25, Non Members cost $35. Come along and enjoy their Christmas... more

Christmas Lunch Saturday December 3rd, midday at Mapua the Apple shed. 25 places booked but please let us know if you are coming. www.appleshed.co.nz Rabbit island Family funday Saturday December 10th at 10.30am. Fun packed day with plenty of games/ prizes and gifts for the children. BBQ... more

Key Points: It is not a medical record. The Patient, family or caregiver completes the Passport. It may contain as much or as little information as the patient wants to share. The Health Passport stays with the patient at all times. It needs to be accessible to anyone who works with the... more

Deaf Aotearoa Annual Report Deaf Aotearoa has released their Annual Report 2010-2011 and Financial Report 2010-2011. Copies are available at all Deaf Aotearoa offices. NZSL In Action Awards The NZSL In Action Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the efforts of businesses, schools and... more

Official Visit by New Governor General Deaf Aotearoa Christchurch staff recently welcomed the new Governor General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife, Lady Janine Mateparae, to their office. They were welcomed with a karanga in Te Reo and New Zealand Sign Language, before a short... more

David Loving-Molloy will be teaching some Bible papers next year in Auckland.  Any of you might be interested to study on Bible Study papers for 2012.  These are all NZQA accredited papers.  David will probably teaching them in blocks, one paper from a Friday evening through to... more

Cameron Hore from Christchurch has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation, obtaining by deception and sexual grooming through online internet contact. He has been charged with doing  these things to a number of people – Deaf people and also family and friends of Deaf people... more

November 2011 NZSL Week 2012 The dates have been confirmed, our next NZSL Week will be held from 30 April to 6 May 2012. Book the dates in your calendar! Contact James Pole by text 021 847 729 or fax 09 820 1280 if you want to volunteer or teach NZSL taster classes. AUT Students... more

November 2011 Annette Arthur It gives us great pleasure to introduce you to Annette Arthur from Levin.  She is now working at LivingPlus under MASH Trust Friendship Service, doing volunteer work under “Activities in the Community” which is a Community project to help... more

In 2009 there was a Community Goals meeting to work together on some goals for the whole Deaf Community. In the last two years, many of these Community Goals have been accomplished by individuals, and Deaf organisations too. Below is a list of Community Goals from the last meeting: Community... more

There are two events happening this month that will be of interest to those interested in art. International public art team Struan Ashby and Erica Duthie offer a series of workshops for artists from the Deaf Community using their unique art form - drawing with tape. The workshop series will... more

November 2011 Electoral forum meeting. Thursday 10th November12.00pm at St Johns Church, Hardy Street Nelson. Free lunch will be provided. Deafinitely Me workshop On Friday 18th November at Hearing Rooms 354, Trafalgar Square6.30pm #4- Linguistic / languages Deafinitely Me... more

November 2011 DANZ - Deaf Aotearoa NZ Biennial General Meeting (BGM) When:  Saturday 12th NovemberWhere: YMCA, 12 Hereford Street, CityTime:    10am onwards Everyone is welcome... if need more information, contact Kate Browne, Deaf Aotearoa Human Resource, kate.browne@deaf.org.nz... more

November 2011 Wellington Deaf Artist gets an overall winner prize of her painting ‘Haven’. Fiona Langford, a student at The Learning Connexion painted this picture and she became the overall winner and received a grant of $500 which she says will go towards a printing screen. She is... more

The following programme in New Zealand Sign Language is designed for Deaf people to learn ways to cope with grief and loss in their natural language. “Change, Loss and Grief” was launched on Wednesday, 12 October, 2011 as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. The... more

October 2011 KDEC Speech Competition 2011 Results Thank you for all those who came to support our Deaf students in the recent Speech Competition. We had a most successful and enjoyable night! Congratulations to the Prize Winners and also to all those who participated. NZSL... more

If you are interested to help with the oil clean up, there are a few things you should know. Visiting the Tauranga City Council website will give you up to date news and information about the clean up. Please... more

Where: Auckland Deaf Society Club Rooms - 164 Balmoral Road, Balmoral. Pizza and drinks provided movies • pool • air hockey • indoor netball • basketball • wii game station • card games and loads more! You can bring along your hearing friends with you -... more

October 2011 What is a Referendum presentation Please come to Wellington Deaf Club next Friday 14th October to ensure you are enrolled to vote and understanding how to vote. There will be a person from Elections coming along. See flyer attached. Interpreters will be there, light snacks will be... more

With current polling, the Green Party's Mojo Mathers would become new Zealand's first deaf MP at Novembers election and Parliament would adapt to using sign language — one of our three official languages. In this clip, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei and sign language translator Jenn... more

From the 8th October, there will be water restrictions in Christchurch. You will not be able to use your water every day because we need to conserve water. Watch the video clip for more information. more

Flashing lights with fire alarms, visual displays on public transport and raised seating at public events can make central Christchurch more visually friendly, the city's deaf community says. At yesterday's draft central-city plan hearings, Deaf Aotearoa executive board member Kellye Bensley said... more

Tuesday, 4 October 2011, 3:25 pmPress Release: New Zealand Government Hon Tariana TuriaMinister for Disability Issues 4 October 2011 Media statement Sign Language in good heart but more can be done Disability Issues Minister Hon Tariana Turia released the review of the New Zealand Sign... more

Hey guys and girls, we wanna invite you to participate in a competition. We lookin’ for a brand new name for our Youth services. We have a fantastic prize up to the value of $150 for the winner of this competition who will also be featured in our next TalkHands Newsletter.... more

The text below and the video clip was posted on September 24, 2011 from: http://blairrobertson.com/blog/september-28-2011-christchurch-earthquake-prophecy/ "A large number of people have contacted me regarding a “prophecy” regarding a massive earthquake and tsunami that God... more

Executive Summary. There are an estimated 250,000 Deaf or hearing impaired people in New Zealand (6% of the population). Of these around 80% have difficulty hearing the TV which affects their enjoyment of entertainment and their access to information. Even with hearing aids, 40% still have... more

Official Rugby World Cup broadcaster Sky has received a "fail'' mark from the deaf community after neglecting to show sign singers performing the national anthem during the opening ceremony. The ceremony was the first time the anthem has been sung in three of New Zealand's official languages -... more

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDITED VOLUME Signed languages as second language: International perspectives on teaching and learning Editors: Dr David McKee, Dr Russell S Rosen, Dr Rachel Locker McKee Overview of volume The practice and profession of signed language teaching and learning has... more

Are you interested to be on the Deaf Aotearoa Executive Board? Are you the right person for this job? We have created a short video clip explaining what Governance means. What is governance? It is how the organisation is run and focuses on the big picture.  The board makes decisions on what... more

Deaf Aotearoa will be creating a video clip to showcase the different signs for each country attending the Rugby World Cup. We are asking the Deaf Community to be involved, so contact your local Deaf Aotearoa office to be part of this exciting project. This is a great community development... more

Hey guys and girls, we wanna invite you to participate in a competition. We lookin’ for a brand new name for our Youth services. We have a fantastic prize up to the value of $150 for the winner of this competition who will also be featured in our next TalkHands Newsletter.... more

We are very excited to let you know that a group of us went to Hamilton on 22nd August 2011 to receive a special award that Deaf Aotearoa was given by the Human Rights Commission. Each year the Human Rights Commission award a selection (12) organisations/businesses in NZ who show commitment and... more

Is this you? Deaf, confident and have good NZSL skills Available for 2 full days in September 2011 Available during NZSL Week 2012 Comfortable with being photographed/ filmed Happy to share your life story If you think “YES! That’s me!” We want to hear from... more

The Rugby World Cup 2011 committee want sign singers to do the National Anthem in NZSL for New Zealand All Black matches in Auckland and in Hamilton (the Wellington match has been arranged).  There is one match in Hamilton with more in Auckland (depends how well the All Blacks... more

Deaf Aotearoa has established a new position within the organisation called Community Development Project Leader. Della Buzzard will be taking on this position. more

Brett Marshall loves to paint. The profoundly deaf 47-year-old, who also suffers from a mild form of autism, is on track to graduate with a diploma in arts in October. As part of Brett's course requirements he has to create a body of work and exhibit it. He has about 30 artworks on display and... more

How do you sign the word ‘geocache’? It’s a pretty common question on Groundspeak’s forums and now It’s Not About The Numbers has an answer – at least for Kiwi cachers. Yesterday, local organisation Deaf Aotearoa sent this attached video... more

Tiki Tour – a new production from New Zealand-based children’s TV ‘dream team’, Flux Animation and Pickled Possum Productions – is set to take pre-schoolers on a daily ‘bus trip’ around the country.  Screening on TV2 from August 1, the lively... more

A New Plymouth art gallery has won an award for helping the disabled community experience art. The Govett-Brewster received the Arts Access Aotearoa Big 'A' Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award in recognition of its continuing work with disabled people to better understand their needs in... more

2011 marked the 5th anniversary of NZSL Week and the most successful since it started in 2007. Every year the week keeps getting bigger with more events, more taster classes, more people interested in learning NZSL and more resources, widespread advertising and promotion. The “I Am Deaf... more

New Zealand television is going digital.This means the old way of getting TV signals through analogue will stop, and signals willthen be received digitally (new technology).The change from analogue to digital will happen between September 2012 and November 2013. Why is this happening? Digital TV... more

WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE TRUST The Spirit of Adventure Trust was established to provide the youth of New Zealand with access to a character development programme conducted in a maritime environment. Our voyages are seen as a unique environment for youth development, where the focus of... more

Deaf New Zealanders will have better access to the country's third official language with the launch of a multimedia sign language dictionary. The online database contains about 4000 New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) signs, accompanied by line drawings and video clips to show how to produce each... more

New Zealand Sign Language Week highlighted the deaf community’s interest in art. The Dunedin Public Art Gallery (DPAG) held a tour of the Beloved collection last Sunday, with sign language interpreter Brydee Jenkin Strang translating guide Eryn van Dijk’s discussion. This... more

New measures will allow hearing-and visually-impaired people to follow the plots of plays at The Edge. Joanna Davies investigates. Rebeccah Curtis signs us into the theatre. There's no announcement for us to take our seats. Instead, Ms Curtis tells us in sign language."Interpreting... more

Ongoing commitment to the Deaf community saw a number of organisations and individuals honoured in Deaf Aotearoa’s 2011 New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) in Action awards. The annual NZSL in Action Awards are designed to honour organisations and individuals throughout the country who strive... more

The Short Film Festival which was held during New Zealand Sign Language Week had a great turnout, with Signmark and his team coming in at full blast!  Everyone stomped and danced the night away... They sang for more than an hour.  They sang their new song  “Around the... more

New Zealand was one of the first countries to recognise sign language as an official language, but would you be able to sign the national anthem? As part of New Zealand Sign Language Week 2011, Deaf Aotearoa have produced a DVD with performances of God Defend New Zealand in English, Maori and NZ... more

Below you can find many different sources of media exposure we have had for New Zealand Sign Language Week 2011. New Zealand Sign Language Week 2011 was held from the 2nd - 8th May 2011 and has been our most successful NZSL Week ever. Western Leader - Talking with your... more

The World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section Board would like to announce that we have set a new deadline for the upcoming Youth General Assembly and Youth Camp Registration, in South Africa. The new deadline is Friday, 20 May 2011. We will continue to accept the following forms: Assembly... more

The Planning and Organizing Committees of the 8th DEAF HISTORY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE and its host, the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, wish to announce the official launch of the conference website at www.dhiconference2012.ca/. The website is readable in two different languages, English... more

Do you or someone you know have a hearing loss, whether minor or total?  Then the Auckland University of Technology/New Zealand Tourism Research Institute would like to learn about your tourism experiences and what you as a person with hearing impairment want and needs in the way of... more

The Deaf Short Film Festival is still going ahead after the devasating Christchurch Earthquake. Because of the damage, the venue we had originally booked for the Film Festival cannot be used, so we have shifted to Addington Conference Centre. The Film Workshop, and the Biennial General Meeting... more

Signmark will be coming to Christchurch for a one off performance during New Zealand Sign Language week. Come to Christchurch to see him perform! Signmark Poster more

Thanks to an employee’s initiative to “take a walk in a Deaf co-worker’s shoes”, staff from engineering consultancy Beca recently undertook Deaf Aotearoa’s DEAFinitely Aware course. Deaf Aotearoa trainer Victoria Skorikova and two interpreters worked with 20 Beca staff... more

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating February 22nd earthquake in Christchurch. We are sorry for the losses that some members have suffered, but are relieved to hear that most of the Deaf community members are safe. The Deaf Aotearoa office in Christchurch is damaged... more

Darryl & Sara Pivac Alexander, a Deaf couple living in Wellington, live in a house that overlooks a valley. On the afternoon of December 23, Darryl & Sara noticed billowing smoke below them in the valley. They commented it looked serious, and Sara said she would walk over to their... more

As a result of the Christchurch Deaf Aotearoa office being damaged in the 22nd February 2011 earthquake, we have moved to a temporary office with the Blind Foundation at 96 Bristol Street, St Albans. more

  Talented Deaf filmmakers will bring one of the country’s official languages, New Zealand Sign Language, to the big screen during the New Zealand Deaf Short Film Festival (6-7 May 2011). Held at Hoyts Riccarton in Christchurch, the festival will feature films shot by Deaf film-makers... more

I Am Deaf – Let’s Talk New Zealand Sign Language Week 2-8 May 2011   This year marks the fifth annual New Zealand Sign Language Week.   Organised by Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand, the week promotes NZSL as an official language and raises awareness about the Deaf community and... more

Learn to communicate without a sound Ever wanted to hear a pin drop in the classroom, while still communicating with your students?  Now you can, by teaching them New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). It’s an official language and fun and easy to learn – plus, students of all ages... more

For the first time ever, the New Zealand Deaf community were fully included in Waitangi Day celebrations at Waitangi. Alana Best, our Whangarei Community Relations Officer went along to witness this great occasion... It was still dark, but warm when everyone gathered for the 5am dawn Karakia in... more