The theme is “Together, we can make NZSL thrive.”
Ko taku reo taku ohooho, ko taku reo taku mapihi mauria
My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul
This proverb is closely associated with language revitalization, a fundamental struggle in maintaining culture.
Tēnā koe
Hi there, our NZSL week is coming up next month in New Zealand. As a member of the D/deaf community, we look forward to spreading awareness of our language and sharing it with more people in our daily lives. It’s crucial to continue raising awareness and preserving our language for future generations.
If learning our language is something that intrigues you, we have a website that will provide you with all the necessary information. Moreover, we have organized Taster Class events in multiple towns and cities across New Zealand, which could be a great opportunity for you to experience it firsthand in a location convenient for you. It would be wise to attend one of these events to see if it’s right for you.https://nzslweek.org.nz/
Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōnā te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōnā te ao.
The bird that consumes the miro berry owns the forest
The bird that consumes knowledge owns the world
I had the pleasure of assisting a kind-hearted elderly Deaf man with his grocery shopping in Hamilton. Throughout our trip to two different supermarkets, I experienced nothing but positivity from the check-out staff. One of the staff members even signed “Thank you” to me as we departed, which was a heartwarming moment. Additionally, I appreciated the other staff member’s curiosity about Deaf culture in New Zealand, as it demonstrated a genuine desire to learn and promote awareness. It was truly a wonderful experience to witness such kindness and openness towards the Deaf community.
Ehara toa i te toa takitahi, engari, he toa takitini
My success (or my strength) is not that of a single person but instead the strength of many.
Life in Eureka 