Creating a Deaf-inclusive Aotearoa
New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is one of Aotearoa’s official languages yet only about 0.5% of the population are able to use it to hold a conversation. While there have…
Westpac becomes first bank to offer sign language interpreters to Deaf customers
Westpac has become New Zealand’s first bank to offer free in-branch sign language interpreters for Deaf customers. Approximately 4,500 Deaf Kiwis use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as their first or preferred form of communication and more than 20,000 people in…
Tireless Champions of New Zealand’s Deaf Community recognised in annual awards
New Zealand’s best and brightest have been recognised for their hard work in fighting for the rights, education, and access for the Deaf community in this year’s annual NZSL Awards….
Using Hauora to turn Andrew’s life around
Michael Pulman – 5th June 2020 Physically worn down, depressed, close to giving up all hope and in desperate need for support. That was the life for Andrew Willoughby when…
Thinking outside the box to get more Deaf New Zealanders into work
Michael Pulman – 27th May 2020 A willingness to think differently, finding new ways to upskill Deaf people, and supporting businesses is a key priority for the employment team at…
Covid 19 coronavirus: Sign language goes full screen for Covid-19 briefings
New Zealand Sign Language interpreters will be the main image on screen in a new TV channel showing Covid-19 briefings for the deaf and hard of hearing. Deaf Aotearoa and…
Alan Wendt: The Interpreter
KŌRERO Alan Wendt: The Interpreter by Dale Husband | May 3, 2020 | 0 | 14 min read Alan Wendt, at the NZ Sign Language Awards, 2018. (Photo by Mark Tantrum/ http://marktantrum.com) For many years, the Wendt name…
Covid-19: Deaf Aotearoa condemns mockery of NZ Sign Language interpreters
The Prime Minister has personally thanked the New Zealand Sign Language interpreters that will be a familiar face to many Kiwis who follow the government’s daily covid-19 briefings. Six highly-skilled…
Memorandum of Understanding
Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) and Deaf Aotearoa wish to announce that they have…
‘Like juggling and doing gym’: life as Ardern’s sign language interpreter
Alan Wendt is the first interpreter to be regularly employed by a New Zealand prime minister – and he has had a busy year by Eleanor Ainge Roy in Dunedin Fri 7…
