Latest news with #NZSLBoard
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
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Supporting New Zealand Sign Language
Press Release – New Zealand Government The draft NZSL Strategy went out for consultation today, with Minister Upston describing it as an important step forward. Minister for Disability Issues The release of a draft New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) strategy for consultation will help drive better support for the Deaf community, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. The draft NZSL Strategy went out for consultation today, with Minister Upston describing it as an important step forward. 'NZSL is an official language of New Zealand and the first language for many Deaf New Zealanders. 'Unfortunately, Deaf people are not always able to access public services or community events using NZSL. 'The strategy will drive the work of the NZSL Board for the next five years as they strive to ensure members of the Deaf community have the assistance they need. 'This draft strategy represents a fresh look at what needs to be done to ensure all New Zealanders can use, support and value NZSL. 'The Government is committed to better public services and delivering services and supports that meet the needs of the Deaf community. 'From census information, we know the number of NZSL users has increased since 2013, with about 25,000 using NZSL in Census 2023. The same census indicated that around 5,700 people in New Zealand could not hear at all 'I acknowledge the work of the Board to ensure that NZSL goes further and is futureproofed as a strong, vibrant language recognised and embraced by Kiwis,' Louise Upston says. Consultation on the draft NZSL strategy is open until 2 June 2025. Minister Upston will report the strategy back to Cabinet for approval later this year. For an NZSL translation of this media release, see here:
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Supporting New Zealand Sign Language
Minister for Disability Issues The release of a draft New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) strategy for consultation will help drive better support for the Deaf community, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says. The draft NZSL Strategy went out for consultation today, with Minister Upston describing it as an important step forward. 'NZSL is an official language of New Zealand and the first language for many Deaf New Zealanders. 'Unfortunately, Deaf people are not always able to access public services or community events using NZSL. 'The strategy will drive the work of the NZSL Board for the next five years as they strive to ensure members of the Deaf community have the assistance they need. 'This draft strategy represents a fresh look at what needs to be done to ensure all New Zealanders can use, support and value NZSL. 'The Government is committed to better public services and delivering services and supports that meet the needs of the Deaf community. 'From census information, we know the number of NZSL users has increased since 2013, with about 25,000 using NZSL in Census 2023. The same census indicated that around 5,700 people in New Zealand could not hear at all 'I acknowledge the work of the Board to ensure that NZSL goes further and is futureproofed as a strong, vibrant language recognised and embraced by Kiwis,' Louise Upston says. Consultation on the draft NZSL strategy is open until 2 June 2025. Minister Upston will report the strategy back to Cabinet for approval later this year. For an NZSL translation of this media release, see here:
