Latest news with #NZSL
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Survivors Call Out MSD For Redress Inaction, Travel Chaos, And Deep Harm – One Week Before National Wānanga (Part One)
Press Release – NZ Cast This isnt an isolated failure. NZCAST says its part of a larger pattern: a redress system that isnt working, and an agency that claims to care about survivors but wont even show up. With less than a week to go before a national wānanga for survivors of state abuse in Christchurch, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has still not confirmed consistent travel support for those trying to attend. Many have been left waiting, others have been declined outright, and some have received offers so low they feel like an insult. 'It's heartbreaking,' says Karl Tauri, spokesperson for NZCAST – the New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care. 'We've had survivors calling us in tears, unsure if they'll be able to attend. Some have said they don't want to live anymore. And what's MSD's response? Silence, deferral, or ten dollars for a 5-hour round trip.' This isn't an isolated failure. NZCAST says it's part of a larger pattern: a redress system that isn't working, and an agency that claims to care about survivors but won't even show up. Travel support that harms more than it helps Survivors attending the upcoming Whare Tapu Wānanga in Christchurch (23–25 May) have reported: Receiving no confirmation of travel support Being told they're ineligible because their 'claim is closed' Being offered as little as $10–$20 for multi-hour journeys Hearing different rules depending on the person who answers the phone. 'This is redress?' Tauri asks. 'Survivors are retraumatised just trying to attend an event that could help them heal.' Deaf survivors excluded The situation is no better for Deaf survivors. MSD has refused to fund New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters for wānanga, redirecting organisers to Deaf Aotearoa who have no mandate or funding to cover redress-related events. 'This has left Deaf survivors completely shut out,' says Tauri. 'Or, again, the burden falls on us, a grassroots, unpaid organisation to try and find the money.' Disability support that doesn't support Survivors living with chronic pain, PTSD, or long-term illness are facing yet another barrier: the broken Disability Allowance system. NZCAST reports survivors being forced to repeatedly prove their trauma by obtaining letters from GPs and specialists, a system over-stretched on its own, even when their conditions are permanent and well documented. One mother cannot access basic allergy-safe food and unsubsidized medication for her and her children. They live with serious gluten and dairy allergies yet are denied support. 'She skips rent once a month just to feed her kids and buy her medication' says Tauri. 'What kind of system makes a woman choose between food and housing?' Case management by postcode In some parts of the country, Work and Income allows survivors to request dedicated case managers, a much needed and wanted advancement, so survivors don't have to relive their trauma with a new person every time. In some regions, this request is refused. 'It's postcode-based discrimination,' says Tauri. 'The system you get depends entirely on where you live. That's not justice.' No dignity in death In one recent case, MSD refused to fund the headstone for a survivor's father, who was buried in an unmarked grave. He was a veteran of World War Two, and the only adult who supported and loved his daughter, before he passed away. Despite clear grounds for compassion and support, she has been left scrambling to piece together funding on a benefit. 'This was a man who stood by his daughter through everything,' says Tauri. 'And MSD told the whānau no. No help, no honour, no acknowledgment. That tells you exactly how broken this system is, when even the dead, a veteran at that don't get dignity.' MSD: Present in some places, absent in others Perhaps the most galling failure, NZCAST says, is MSD's refusal to attend the Christchurch wānanga, despite attending similar events in Wellington and Palmerston North. 'Christchurch has hundreds of MSD staff and multiple offices,' Tauri says. 'They claim it's due to 'conflicting commitments,' but the message survivors hear is: you're not important enough for us to show up. ' This matters, he says, because when MSD WINZ and Historic Claims does attend, it works. Survivors are able to connect with case managers, claims, ask questions, get real-time support, and rebuild trust with the public service. NZCAST: Doing the work the Crown won't NZCAST is running the entire three-day Christchurch gathering including food, accommodation, transport, wellness sessions, peer support, and facilitation entirely unfunded. The trust receives no Crown funding, and relies on community aroha, fundraising, and lived experience. 'We're holding people who are in crisis while MSD sends emails telling us to refer survivors to the website,' says Tauri. 'We are doing their job. Unpaid. And still doing it better.' What NZCAST is calling for: A consistent national travel support policy for all survivors, open claim or not NZSL interpreter funding for all Crown-linked survivor events A trauma-informed Disability Allowance process that stops punishing people Equal access to case managers, no matter the postcode A survivor-led inter-agency wellbeing and redress taskforce Proper funding for survivor-led groups who are carrying the system's failures Implentation of the recommendations provided by the Royal Commission. 'We're not asking for favours. We're asking for justice.' At the heart of it, Tauri says, is a simple truth: redress is not money. Redress is showing up. It's access. It's care. 'MSD says it supports survivors, but survivors are not feeling supported. They're exhausted. They're retraumatized. And they're being left behind.'
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
NZ Sign Language Week: Why I raise my hearing children with NZ Sign Language
Experiencing language for the first time Solouota's parents, from Niue, had no knowledge of sign language and took baby Rosie home and improvised what they called 'home signs' - hand gestures and signals they used to communicate with their toddler. When Rosie was old enough, they put her in a mainstream kindergarten and then primary school with her siblings, in Porirua. Rosie's three brothers invented unique signs for her too. 'They all have their own signs and different ways of communicating, so it was a real mixture,' Rosie told the Herald through an interpreter. 'Home signs ... pointing around and using body language and gestures with my three brothers, so we could understand each other.' As luck would have it, the local primary school - Rangikura School - opened a deaf unit. And when Rosie was 8 or 9 years old, a new teacher started who introduced her to NZ Sign Language - Rosie's first formal language. Even now, Rosie remembers the wonder of that time. 'Wow. It had such an amazing impact on me - to have access to the language of deaf people. '[The teacher] was very expressive with me and I was able to understand her,' she told the Herald through an interpreter. 'Sign language was developed by deaf people and it's the language of deaf people. I struggled ... and then I was able to access this normal language for me.' Today, Solouota is a single mum to three hearing children aged 4, 6 and 7, all of whom speak NZSL. 'It's their first language - New Zealand Sign Language - because that's my language and I'm their mum. It's their first language - New Zealand Sign Language - because that's my language and I'm their mum Rosie Solouota 'When they were babies, I signed with them. And as they've grown ... they were already starting to pick it up at six months old. 'Now, as they're getting older, they know how to sign, they know how to use body language and facial expressions as part of NZ Sign Language from me, their mum.' Now in her mid-30s, Solouta works as a NZSL tutor and advocate for the deaf community. This week is NZ Sign Language Week and she is this year's sign language hero. Almost 25,000 people in New Zealand use the language, one of New Zealand's official languages, and this year's theme is: An Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere. Loss of mother tongue Solouota feels a sense of loss that she couldn't learn Niuean growing up, given there were no Niuean sign interpreters. 'I'm a deaf person, so I can't access spoken language,' she said Her children, who are all hearing, all speak Niuean and te reo Māori, as well as English, in addition to their first language NZSL. She said NZSL had changed her life's trajectory and hoped more Kiwis will learn it. 'NZ Sign Language is essential for me. I use it every day in my life. It's part of who I am - it's how I access life and a part of who I am as a person.'
Scoop
05-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Celebrating New Zealand Sign Language
Press Release – New Zealand Government NZSL is an official language of this country, used by almost 25,000 people and the primary language for many Deaf New Zealanders. Minister for Disability Issues Now is the time for Kiwis to give New Zealand Sign Language a go as we take a week to celebrate the language, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week. The theme is that 'anyone can sign anywhere'. 'NZSL is an official language of this country, used by almost 25,000 people and the primary language for many Deaf New Zealanders. 'The Government, through the NZSL Board, invests $1.25 million each year to support initiatives promoting and maintaining NZSL. Included in that investment is the NZSL dictionary which is a great resource for learning new words,' Louise Upston says. 'This Government is committed to better public services, delivering services and support that meet the needs of the Deaf community. 'The NZSL Board is now consulting on a draft NZSL strategy which will drive its work for the next five years and I am encouraging all New Zealanders with an interest to submit on the strategy and have their say. 'I encourage New Zealanders to learn some everyday signs this week, such as 'good morning' or 'good evening' or 'thank you'.' There are resources and activities on the New Zealand Sign Week website to inspire everyone to learn the language.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Celebrating New Zealand Sign Language
Hon Louise Upston Minister for Disability Issues Now is the time for Kiwis to give New Zealand Sign Language a go as we take a week to celebrate the language, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) week. The theme is that 'anyone can sign anywhere'. 'NZSL is an official language of this country, used by almost 25,000 people and the primary language for many Deaf New Zealanders. 'The Government, through the NZSL Board, invests $1.25 million each year to support initiatives promoting and maintaining NZSL. Included in that investment is the NZSL dictionary which is a great resource for learning new words,' Louise Upston says. 'This Government is committed to better public services, delivering services and support that meet the needs of the Deaf community. 'The NZSL Board is now consulting on a draft NZSL strategy which will drive its work for the next five years and I am encouraging all New Zealanders with an interest to submit on the strategy and have their say. 'I encourage New Zealanders to learn some everyday signs this week, such as 'good morning' or 'good evening' or 'thank you'.' There are resources and activities on the New Zealand Sign Week website to inspire everyone to learn the language.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Breaking Barriers & Coming Together: Deaf Aotearoa Hosts The First NZSL Inclusive Coffee Tasting Event With Starbucks
Deaf Aotearoa is thrilled to announce a unique and inclusive coffee tasting event in collaboration with Starbucks, set to take place on May 6th at 12 PM across five locations in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. This event aims to unite Deaf and hearing communities in celebrating coffee, culture, and accessibility. Together, we are breaking down barriers for the Deaf community, enabling them to participate in activities that are traditionally hosted for hearing audiences. Starbucks will host coffee tasting events at five of their key locations, with Deaf Aotearoa supporting this with NZSL interpreters through their interpreter booking service iSign, ensuring that Deaf participants can fully engage and enjoy the experience. This initiative highlights both organisations' commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of community. Starbucks will also be taking donations from May 6 through May 11 at the till to allow Kiwis to also break down barriers for the Deaf community, with 100% of the donations from Starbucks fundraising efforts going directly to Deaf Aotearoa in support for the Deaf community. Event Details: Highlights: Free coffee tasting event open to the public, both hearing and Deaf NZSL interpreters available to promote inclusivity and highlight the use of NZSL in everyday spaces to hearing peers Opportunity for Deaf and hearing individuals to come together and connect over coffee Workplaces near the five locations are being encouraged to take their lunch break at their local Starbucks to participate in the event Deaf Aoteaora is inviting Kiwis to visit a nearby store on their way to work from 6 – 11 May to make a donation and contribute to the fundraising efforts 'We are excited to partner with Starbucks to create an inclusive event that welcomes everyone,' said Lachlan Keating, CEO of Deaf Aotearoa. 'Partnering with businesses like Starbucks is crucial for Deaf Aotearoa as it helps us create more inclusive and accessible experiences for the Deaf community. These collaborations not only raise awareness about the importance of accessibility but also demonstrate a commitment to breaking down barriers that Deaf individuals often face.' All too often Deaf individuals face barriers in everyday life – ordering a coffee, getting a haircut or understanding a diagnosis from the doctor can be more complex for a Deaf person. Making events more accessible, especially those typically targeted at the hearing community, is incredibly meaningful. It allows Deaf individuals to fully participate and enjoy activities that they might otherwise be excluded from. Deaf Aotearoa is committed to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for Deaf people to be fully included. 'This coffee tasting event is a wonderful opportunity for the Deaf community to enjoy a shared experience with the hearing community, and we hope it encourages more events like this in the future.' We spoke to Lara Draper, a local Deaf person, and asked her what having these events accessible meant to her, 'As a Deaf person, having coffee tasting events accessible in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is a fantastic step towards inclusivity. It not only makes the Deaf community visible, but also encourages everyone to learn and use sign language. By making these coffee taster events accessible, it is promoting a culture where Deaf people can fully participate and feel valued. It's a reminder that inclusivity benefits everyone and that learning to sign can bridge communication gaps, making every day experiences richer for all.' Everyone is encouraged to come along, support this inclusive initiative, enjoy Starbucks coffee, and maybe even learn a sign or two.
