New 10-year NZSL strategy launched
A new 10-year strategy setting out how New Zealanders can work together to strengthen and increase the use of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), has been launched by the NZSL Board.
The strategy ‘New Zealand Sign Language – everyone, everywhere, every day’ reflects the Board’s ambitions for a strong and vibrant language that is recognised and embraced as a living language by all New Zealanders.
“We want NZSL to be a language that supports and improves the lives of Deaf people, Turi Māori (Māori Deaf people) and NZSL users,” says NZSL Board Chair Catherine Greenwood.
The strategy takes a new approach by both supporting NZSL users to learn and use the language, and by ensuring non-NZSL users understand its importance and embrace its use.
The strategy’s five priority areas include supporting deaf and NZSL-using children and their families to learn and use NZSL and ensuring there is a skilled workforce to sustain that support.
NZSL is an official language of New Zealand. As a first language to many Deaf New Zealanders, it enables Deaf people to achieve access to health, education, employment, and society.
Deaf people, especially Turi Māori face barriers in accessing services and community spaces using NZSL. This has significant negative effects on their health and wellbeing.
You can read more information on the NZSL Board website:
NZSL Strategy 2026-2036 external URL