Why New Zealand Sign Language Week Matters More Than Ever

For the past three years, I have had the privilege of being a New Zealand Sign Language Week Ambassador. This role was given to me by Deaf Aotearoa in 2023 and each year I get to know more of the history, the language and of the incredible community.

Before I launch into everything I want to start this off by saying that I’m not fluent in sign language, but I am proud to be an Ambassador for NZSL Week. Why? Because NZSL belongs to all of us.

Why New Zealand Sign Language Matters (Even If You’re Not Deaf)

It’s one of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s official languages, and yet, for far too long, it was treated like a problem that needed fixing.

For almost 100 years, the Deaf community in New Zealand were actively discouraged, even punished, for using their own language. Imagine being told you couldn’t speak the way you naturally communicate. That your hands, your expressions, your culture weren’t valid.

Schools banned it and teachers enforced silence. The message was loud and clear: if you were Deaf, you had to fit into a hearing world… even if that meant erasing a huge part of yourself.

So why do I care, as someone who isn’t Deaf?

Because language is culture ... language is identity. And NZSL isn’t just “a nice extra” - it’s essential for thousands of Kiwis. If we want to live in an Aotearoa where everyone feels seen and included, we have to do better.

We have to show up, learn the basics, and meet the community where they are.

Becoming an Ambassador (Wait, Me?!)

That’s where my journey with NZSL Week began. I didn’t have a background in sign language, but I did know the alphabet ... thanks to my best friend Jayne (shoutout you legend) who taught me when we were 11. Somehow, it stuck.

As my social media platform grew, and as I got more experienced (read: tired and chaotic) as a parent, I realised how important it was to back both Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. Both are official languages, both have brutal histories of being silenced; and both deserve proper space in our communities and conversations.

So I started showing up for NZSL Week. Sharing what I could and learning as I went. Definitely nothing fancy.

I’m not fluent, and realistically I probably never will be. But when I was invited to be an ambassador, it wasn’t about having perfect skills. It was about participation. About being willing to give it a go and show that anyone can learn a few signs and start a conversation.

And honestly? The Deaf community has been nothing but welcoming. Patient, kind, and so full of humour. They’ve made this journey feel possible, even for someone like me.

Showing Up Imperfectly, And Proudly

This year’s theme is “An Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” 

That’s not just a goal ... it’s a vision. It’s about creating a culture where NZSL isn’t a niche skill or a party trick, but a living, breathing part of daily life.

It’s about learning to finger-spell your name, to sign “how are you?”, or to just start small and build from there.

It’s also about giving NZSL the respect it’s always deserved, and amplifying the voices of those who’ve fought to keep it alive.

So here I am, muddling through signs, getting it wrong sometimes, but doing it anyway.

Because being an ally doesn’t mean being an expert ... it means showing up. And I’m honoured to show up for NZSL Week ... now, and always.

For more information about New Zealand Sign Language Week and how you can take part, please visit https://nzsignlanguage.nz/ or visit https://www.deaf.org.nz/.