Deaf Aotearoa

😀 Staff Spotlight 👋 Kia ora to Kellie Bowman! TRANSCRIPT: Hi, my name is Kellie Bowman. My sign name is this because 15 years ago, while I was studying at Victoria University, my tutor Mark Berry gave it to me. He chose it because my hair was yellow, but not anymore! I work at Deaf Aotearoa as an HR Manager and have been here for 5 months. I'm based in the Lower Hutt (Wellington) office. I live in Newlands with my 20-year-old son. Before Deaf Aotearoa, I worked at BCITO for 2 years, also in an HR role. On weekends, I enjoy baking and sharing the treats with my parents. I also visit family and friends, go on walks, and on Saturday mornings, I go to the gym and have coffee with my friends. Thank you, bye! #deafaotearoa #nzsl #staffspotlight

Auckland Transport are running a pilot on New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and captioned safety videos at Waitematā/Britomart Train Station and The Downtown Ferry Terminal and are seeking feedback from the Deaf and hard of hearing community. As part of Auckland Transport's mission to enable and deliver an effective, efficient and safe transport system, the feedback received from the pilot is important to determine whether this initiative could be rolled out across the network. Auckland Transport are seeking input from the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Please take a moment to complete the short questionnaire. Your feedback will guide us in advising Auckland Transport on the importance of NZSL and captioned safety messages at transport venues like train stations and ferry terminals. Link to survey: https://lnkd.in/gck9MTyt

Our New Zealand Sign Language Week gang reunited… 🤟🏾 but we missed you Maria Foy! Nice to catch up at MediaWorks NZ for some great filming for Deaf Aotearoa with, Jon Tai-Rakena, Brad Watson and Erica Dawson. We’re excited to see the final product. You all did amazing! #deafaotearoa #filming #media #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #publicrelations #deaf #radio #mediaworks

Victoria Manning, MNZM provides an update from Chicago, USA, on what the World Federation of the Deaf has been doing lately! TRANSCRIPT: Hi NZ, Aotearoa! I'm here in Chicago, America, for the WFD Board meeting. It’s been five days, and we’ve covered a lot. Now, we're done! We discussed various topics, including updates from the WFD Secretary and staff, reports and issues from OMs (Deaf associations that are WFD members), and the recent activities of regional Secretariats. We also reviewed plans for the WFD Secretary and staff for the next four years and talked about the upcoming conference in Kenya in 2025! That's a wrap. I could explain more, but I'll keep it brief! Exciting times ahead... #DeafAotearoa #WFD #Deaf #Leadership #Advocacy #NZSL

Deaf Aotearoa wish to honour Stephanie Āwheto after the news of her passing - Stephanie was a pioneering trilingual interpreter and advocate for the Turi Māori community. This year, she was honoured with the prestigious Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Rotarota award, recognising her lifetime of service. Stephanie's lifelong dedication to bridging communication gaps between NZSL, te reo Māori, and English began with her work alongside the late Patrick Wikiriwhi Thompson. She became Aotearoa New Zealand’s first trilingual interpreter and tirelessly supported Turi Māori, providing access to cultural ceremonies and significant national events. Stephanie also mentored new interpreters, developed Māori sign concepts, and played a crucial role in the relationships between SLIANZ and Māori NZSL interpreters. Her legacy will be remembered and honoured. Kua haere ia ki tōna moenga roa.

Lara Draper, our General Manager - Adults and Seniors recently came back from visiting the United Kingdom. She shares with you her recent trip to the United Kingdom, where she visited family. During her stay, she took the opportunity to connect with five different Deaf organisations, each playing a crucial role in supporting the Deaf community. More information and full video and photos at: https://lnkd.in/gR4e3tFc

Today our CEO Lachlan Keating, together with CEO of The Hearing House Dr. Claire Green presented at the NZDSN conference. Their presentation was titled “Merging Models” and covered the development of the close working relationship between our two organisations and the journey we have shared over the past 10 years. This relationship demonstrates what can be achieved when two organisations with similar purposes align their resources and philosophies to ensure families with Deaf children have access to the full range information and advice and can make informed decisions. #SigningFamilies #bilingualBimodal #NZSL #WorkingTogether #FamilyCentred #FirstSigns #TheHearingHouse #TheBrainNeedsLanguage #NZDSNconference NZDSN Admin Lachlan Keating Dr Claire Green

We are looking for an Executive Assistant to work alongside the Chief Executive, the Leadership Team, and Deaf Aotearoa’s Boards. This is a full-time, fixed-term (11 months) role to cover parental leave and will be based in Wellington. Applications will close at 3pm on the 21st of June 2024. We welcome applications in NZ Sign Language. More information: https://lnkd.in/gk2W4NBn

😀 Staff Spotlight 👋 Kia ora to Tim Lewin! TRANSCRIPT: Hi, my name is Tim. I grew up here in Auckland and I work in South Auckland office, as NZSL Translator. This means I work here with the green screen! I’m always in the green room, translating from English into NZSL. When I’m finished translating, I put it on my computer, edit, make it look good then when I’m happy with it, it’s done. I have been here since October 2024 (2023*), 7 months, and it’s been a good experience so far. Learning new things, new challenges. Now putting work aside... I love taking part in sports, watching and playing football... here I am at a futsal game, I love regular and competing regularly. See me in action! So, that’s me! Hope to see you around. Bye! #deafaotearoa #nzsl #staffspotlight #deafpride

This week leaders from Deaf Aotearoa and Deaf Health CSD are gathered in Wellington for a week of learning and sharing. A great start yesterday with building relationships and gaining understandings each other’s organisations - the similarities and differences. We have a real focus on Design Thinking and tangible take aways that we can each implement into our organisations. We are grateful for the support of the US embassy to enable this event to happen. DeafHealth Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) Jessica Kennedy Allysa Dittmar, MHS Maria Wilson Aylah Cadwell #Deaf #continuousimprovement #CSD #DeafAotearoa #sharing #learning #NZandUSA #DeafLeaders #hearingAllies