Deaf New Zealanders are celebrating 20 years since sign became an official language in New Zealand – with coffee and hopes that it will be taught in more schools.
By Reuben Smith
The New Zealand Sign Language Act came into force in 2006, officially recognising and including Deaf Kiwis.
As part of the celebrations, coffee giant Starbucks organised its annual tasting for the local Deaf community in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
New Zealand Sign Language translator Ryley Yates, who attended the session in Lower Hutt, told 1News the experience was "what everything should be like in New Zealand".
"It’s nice to see it here starting at Starbucks, and let’s see where it takes us in the future."
He said, in his ideal world, he’d be able to go into any café and use his native language.
The Ministry of Disabled People’s Sign Language team director Kellye Bensley said there had been progress over the last two decades but there was still more work to do – especially in healthcare and education.
"If there’s an emergency and an interpreter isn’t there, how can that person make a decision about their healthcare? There’s a risk to someone’s life when they aren’t fully informed," Bensley said.
World Federation of the Deaf president Joseph Murray, who was visiting the country for Sign Language week, said New Zealand was being used as a template for the rest of the world.
"Aotearoa has been very leading in its promotion of sign language. This is my fourth time in New Zealand, and I think New Zealand is very aware of Sign Language rights at a local level and that society has become a lot more aware of sign language," he said.
Call to teach Sign Language at school
Canterbury resident Shelley Bakker, who's had hearing issues since she was a child, wished she'd learnt New Zealand Sign Language a long time ago.
Bakker said she had only started wearing hearing aids 12 years ago due to cost and had learnt sign in recent years.
"I had always wanted to learn NZSL since finding out about it, but didn't know [until the] last few years that it was available to non-Deaf. So, I've learnt the basics over couple of years but don't have anyone to use it with unless I come across someone who uses it," she said.
Bakker said while she wasn't fluent, she was practising online to avoid losing the skill.
"I really think it should be taught and used more – especially at school age," she said.
"I think there should be more options for people to learn New Zealand Sign Language as it's an important language that enables community connection and inclusion."
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