Upcoming events
NZSL CrossFit class
Every Thursday at 6:45pm at CrossFit AKL located in the CDB Auckland, Coach Alex and Jodie will be facilitating a one hour NZSL CrossFit class for people of any abilities and all ages using NZSL to communicate. Both coaches have experience coaching in NZSL in the gym and are excited ... Read more
Find out more »Auckland, CBD, 1010 New Zealand
Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Are you always tired? Problems sleeping? Trying to find the right balance with eating? This workshop will help you realise what exactly you need for your health and to take better care of yourself! You can ask the nutrition expert questions face-to-face. This will include group discussion, goody bag and ... Read more
Find out more »Auckland, 1042 New Zealand
Learner’s driver licence theory (3 days)
This workshop is focused on learner's licence theory, great for those wanting to learn more about the road code. It would bring benefits for you, including being able to get jobs that requires driver's licence, and your independence. You must be 16+. You will learn about the road rules and ... Read more
Find out more »Auckland, 1042 New Zealand
NZSL CrossFit class
Every Thursday at 6:45pm at CrossFit AKL located in the CDB Auckland, Coach Alex and Jodie will be facilitating a one hour NZSL CrossFit class for people of any abilities and all ages using NZSL to communicate. Both coaches have experience coaching in NZSL in the gym and are excited ... Read more
Find out more »Auckland, CBD, 1010 New Zealand
Dementia
Are you interested in learning more about dementia? Come along to learn more about this condition and how dementia will affect you or other people you love
Find out more »Johnsonville, 6037 New Zealand
Beginner Sewing Skills
Learn how to sew on the sewing machine! You will learn sewing tools to help you cut and sew more accurately, and you get to make a tote bag. Materials provided. Beginners and experienced sewers welcome. LIMITED SPACES - 5 PEOPLE MAX.
Find out more »Maeroa, New Zealand
What we do
Deaf Aotearoa is a national organisation representing the voice of Deaf people, and the national service provider for Deaf people in New Zealand.
Deaf Aotearoa also works closely with Deaf communities, government agencies and other organisations to increase awareness, promote New Zealand Sign Language and strengthen the rights of Deaf people.
Deaf Aotearoa is one of 133 ordinary members of the World Federation of the Deaf and is also the New Zealand representative.
Our Services
Deaf Aotearoa delivers flexible and responsive services which accomodates the Deaf community’s needs. We provide knowledge, information, resources and skills. With these, Deaf people are able to independently manage events in their own lives.
Deaf Aotearoa works with government agencies, businesses and other organisations to provide information and resources on life for Deaf New Zealanders, the Deaf community and NZSL.
Deaf Aotearoa delivers key services to the Deaf community, in line with the objectives defined in the Strategic Direction.
These services are designed to ensure Deaf people can achieve their goals at any stage in life, from birth onwards.
Adults and Seniors
Hauora
Deaf Aotearoa’s Hauora* service is a nationwide service that understands and responds to Deaf and hard-of-hearing people’s needs.
The Hauora service offers:
- needs assessment and coordination
- applications for assistive equipment
- information and advice.
*Hauora is an holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It is a Māori concept that views wellbeing as a combination of physical health, emotional/mental health, being socially healthy, and being spiritually healthy.
Adults and Seniors
Employment
Deaf Aotearoa’s Employment service is a nationwide service focused on getting Deaf and hard-of-hearing people into successful employment.
It includes pre-employment support and in-work support for both the Deaf person and employers.
The Employment service offers support for:
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to get a job
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing people to remain in their job
- employers to understand more about employing Deaf people, including information on Deaf culture and funding for New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters in the workplace.
Children and Youth
First Signs
A nationwide Deaf Aotearoa service for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children aged 0-5, supporting families and whānau with:
- Learning New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)
- Language development
- Learning about being Deaf/hard-of-hearing in Aotearoa
- Connecting with other families and Deaf role models.
First Signs brings NZSL into the home and family/whānau environments, making learning NZSL fun.
iSign Interpreting Service
iSign enables access and participation for Deaf people by providing professional and confidential New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreting services.
iSign is a nationwide service enabling effective communication between Deaf and hearing people.
iSign matches job requests with available and appropriate interpreters throughout New Zealand.
iSign contracts more than 80 qualified interpreters who are all members of their professional body, ensuring a confidential and professional service.
Funding is available to cover a wide range of interpreting service jobs.
iSign staff can advise on available sources of funding. Funding information is also available on the ‘How it Works/Who Pays?’ page of the iSign website.