New Zealand Sign Language Week launch

To:  Kim Robinson, Chairman and Rachel Noble, Chief Executive of Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand; Susan Hamilton, Patron of Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand; Your Worship, The Hon John Banks, Mayor of Auckland; distinguished guests,  ladies and gentlemen.

Greetings, Kia Ora,  Kia Orana,  Fakalofa Lahi Atu,  Taloha Ni (sign ‘good afternoon').  These are the languages of the Realm of New Zealand.

I am very glad to be with you to represent my husband the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, who is your Patron and who has asked me to apologise that he is unable to be here today.  I am pleased to also have my own connection to the Deaf Community as Patron of the New Zealand Federation for Deaf Children.

With Susan Hamilton, I have been asked to formally launch New Zealand Sign Language Week 2009 here at the Auckland Town Hall.  First, I would like to spell out why I believe that New Zealand Sign Language is so important.

Since 6 April 2006, New Zealand Sign Language has been one of the official languages of this country.  Parliament finally made this law after a long struggle by the Deaf Community for recognition of sign language as a unique and valid means of expression and communication.

New Zealand Sign Language Week is an opportunity not only to promote the language but also to celebrate it as a New Zealand treasure.

The last Census found that, of New Zealand's 190 languages, sign language is the 12th most frequently used. 29,000 New Zealanders use some sign language every day.

I've learned that - much like New Zealand English - New Zealand Sign Language has developed and evolved from its original British roots.  It has signs for Māori words and concepts and New Zealand placenames that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.  More than a collection of signs to represent spoken words, New Zealand Sign Language is a unique language with its own vocabulary and grammatical structure.

New Zealand Sign Language Week reminds us of how special and important this language is.  It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the Deaf Community and the contribution that Deaf people make to our country.  It reminds us that we need to ensure that information and New Zealand Sign Language  interpreters are available whenever deaf people need to access employment, education, health, and justice services.

We often don't fully recognise or appreciate the contribution of deaf people to our community.  The deaf American actor Marlee Matlin, once said:  "Every one of us is different in some way, but for those of us who are more different, we have to put more effort into convincing the less different that we can do the same thing they can, just differently."

I therefore wish to congratulate Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand for the way it has organised New Zealand Sign Language Week this year. 

It has gone beyond simply talking about the importance of New Zealand Sign Language - it has provided ways for all of us to have a go at learning the language.  Video sign clips have been posted on the internet and more than 200 free classes will allow more New Zealanders to get a taste of the language.  Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand and Kelston Deaf Education have also developed a new resource tool kit to promote sign language in schools.  These kinds of activities bring New Zealand Sign Language alive. 

It's time for us all to give it a go-New Zealand Sign Language is in our hands.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.