‌

Buy your tickets for the NZSL Awards Night now!

Rosie, a Niuean woman with long curly black hair, glasses, a Niuean necklace, and black clothing. In this static image, she is signing "TIME".

‌

Ticket prices for the NZSL Awards Night 2026 have now moved to Butterfly 🦋 $175 (late pricing).

This is your chance to be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating the people, stories, and achievements that shape our NZSL community.

🎟️ Make sure you grab your tickets before the deadline on 31 March!
Once they’re gone, they’re gone — don’t miss out on this very special night. ✨

📅 Saturday 9 May 2026
⏲️ 7:00 PM
📍 Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable Street, Wellington

Join us as we celebrate 20 Years of NZSL as an official language — A Legacy In Our Hands. 💬🤟

🗓️ NZSL Week: 4–10 May 2026
🌏 An Aotearoa Where Anyone Can Sign Anywhere

🎟️ Buy tickets 🎟️

‌

NZSL Week Awards 2026 at Te Papa

‌

In 2026, we’re celebrating a huge milestone — 20 years since New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) became an official language of Aotearoa.

As part of NZSL Week 2026, we’re proud to host the NZSL Awards Night at Te Papa 🏛️ — a powerful Deaf-led, fully accessible celebration to honour the people, allies, and organisations helping to build an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere.

✨ This year’s theme, A Legacy in Our Hands, pays tribute to those who fought for recognition of NZSL and reminds us all that we each have a role in shaping its future.

💫 With categories recognising grassroots leadership, creative storytelling, inclusive workplaces, outstanding interpreting and more — the Awards celebrate the many ways NZSL thrives in our communities.

🎟️ Tickets — Join us at Te Papa on 9th May 2026
🤝 Sponsorship — Your support will help make this a night to remember!

‌

✨ A reminder - NZSL Week merch pre‑orders close 20 March ✨

‌

A bold coral‑orange background fills the image. At the top, black text with a bold outline reads: “NZSL WEEK 2026 MERCH.” Below the heading is a photo of NZSL Week merchandise, including a black hoodie and black T‑shirts featuring Becky’s “taonga” artwork. To the right, a larger version of the artwork is displayed for emphasis. At the bottom of the image, large black text reads: “BUY NOW.”

This special design honours 20 years of New Zealand Sign Language 🤟
A language that carries identity, culture and community.

Deaf artist Becky West describes NZSL as something precious -
clear, strong, full of light - a taonga 💎

This is a limited, one‑off anniversary release.
Don’t miss your chance to own it.

Kids tees and crew sweatshirt up now!

🛍️ Pre‑order here

‌

NZSL Week 2026 Marketing & Media kit out now!

A gritty beige background sets the scene. In the foreground are two posters: The top/front poster features the NZSL Week Hero poster of Rosie, showing her portrait and the accompanying NZSL Week promotional details. The second poster, positioned at the bottom right, displays the NZSL alphabet poster, showing the handshapes for each letter.

‌

To help everyone get involved, the refreshed NZSL Week 2026 Media & Marketing Kit is now live.
Whether you’re part of the Deaf community, a media or communications team, a workplace, school or community group, this kit makes it easy to plan, promote and participate in NZSL Week.

✨ What’s inside:
- Finalised media release
- Ready‑to‑use social media content
- Posters and flyers
- FAQs and information on where to learn NZSL
- Everything you need to celebrate, share and champion New Zealand Sign Language - all in one place.

Let’s honour 20 years of recognition, progress and pride - and keep building awareness, access and inclusion for the future.

👉 Download the NZSL Week 2026 Media & Marketing Kit

‌

Full access and participation for
Deaf in Aotearoa / New Zealand

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

Phone: 0800 33 23 22

Email: hello@deaf.org.nz

Freetext: 8223

webversion - unsubscribe - update profile