e-Merge Express
Updates, news and stories about New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and Deaf community.

Over the past few months, our NZSL Clubs have brought people together across Hamilton, Dunedin, and Invercargill to learn, practise, and enjoy NZSL in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Thanks to funding from the NZSL Fund, we successfully delivered a one-year NZSL Club project across three locations. Each club ran for eight sessions, resulting in more than 40 NZSL Club sessions being delivered overall, with over 150 participants taking part along the way. The clubs were de

A group of NZSL superheroes at the 2nd NZSL Camp for Deaf Children and Families in Rotorua, April 2026. Following the success of the first NZSL Camp for Deaf children in 2025, Deaf Club Tauranga was excited to host a second camp in April 2026 at Lakes Ranch Christian Camp. With funding support from the NZSL Board and a private sponsor, the camp continued its mission of creating a safe and empowering space for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children to connect through language, cult

Credit: Artwork by Rachel Coppage and photograph by Royce Flynn. This year marks an important milestone for Aotearoa New Zealand, as New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) celebrates 20 years as an official language. It is a significant milestone and a chance to reflect on the progress that has been made, while also being honest about what still needs to improve to ensure Deaf people can fully access and participate in all parts of society. How It All Started The NZSL Act 2006, whi