Dr David McKee Appointed Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit Recognising a Lifetime of Leadership in NZSL and the Deaf Community
Dr David McKee, a respected Deaf leader, educator, and researcher, has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. This honour acknowledges his decades-long contribution to strengthening NZSL, Deaf research, and sign language rights in Aotearoa.
Supporting NZSL Access and Interpreter Education
Alongside his wife, Dr Rachel McKee, Dr David McKee co-established Aotearoa’s first NZSL–English interpreter training programme at Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Their joint leadership laid the foundation for the country’s only degree-level qualification in this field, and has supported the development of interpreters committed to Deaf-led language access.
Leadership in Research and Language Vitality
As a founding member and long-time Director of the Deaf Studies Research Unit at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Dr McKee has helped shape national understandings of NZSL, Deaf culture, and language policy. His research was key to NZSL being recognised as an official language in 2006 and continues to support its vitality.
Governance and Community Impact
Dr McKee has served on the NZSL Board and as Chairperson of the Deaf Aotearoa Holdings Board, contributing to community-led planning, language development, and access initiatives across the motu.
A Legacy Rooted in Community
This appointment reflects not only Dr McKee’s personal achievements, but the strength and persistence of the wider Deaf community that has driven change in Aotearoa. His legacy is one of collective advancement, grounded in the values of linguistic and cultural recognition.
Ngā mihi nui and congratulations to Dr David McKee—he raukura mō te hapori Turi.
