Wellington Association for Deaf Children

06/10/2026

This year marks 2️⃣ 0️⃣ years of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

But how did sign languages become recognised within the CRPD?

06/10/2026

Still time to register for this debate (online, free and NZSL accessible)

https://ihcnewzealand.eventsair.com/ihc-election-event-2026/electionevent2026/Site/Register

What questions would you like answered?

This site requires a temporary cookie to streamline your experience. No personal data is stored and the cookie will be removed once you complete your registration.

06/10/2026

Surely one of the toughest interpreter / translation gigs in town?

This debate tonight will have NZSL interpretation. All the details below.

🗳️ Get ready for the 2026 General Election by tuning in to the National and Labour Leaders' Debate with NZSL interpreters.

Watch with Kordia on Freeview Channel 200 or online at ch200.co.nz.

📅 Tuesday 6th October
⏰ Debate: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
⏰ Expert Analysis: 8:30 - 9:00 PM

Learn more about the issues, policies, and priorities that could shape Aotearoa's future.

Want to learn more before you vote? 🗳️
Check out our 2026 General Election webpage for NZSL videos, key election information, and helpful resources:
🔗 https://www.deaf.org.nz/general-election-2026/

06/10/2026

Introducing the Aotearoa Cochlear Implant Programme:

https://www.hearinghouse.co.nz/single-post/introducing-the-aotearoa-cochlear-implant-programme

Catherine Poutasi, General Manager Commissioning and Funding at Disability Support Services says the joint proposal from the Hearing House and Southern Cochlear Implant Programme demonstrated a strong, client-centred service model, with approaches responsive to the needs and circumstances of whānau, alongside a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and NZSL capability.

We’re proud to announce an important milestone for cochlear implant services in Aotearoa New Zealand with the establishment of the Aotearoa Cochlear Implant Programme (ACIP).ACIP is the new national programme for publicly funded cochlear implant services in Aotearoa. The programme provides a natio...

06/10/2026

**** Newsflash ****

ACIP is the new national programme for publicly funded cochlear implant services in Aotearoa.

The programme brings together The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP), which provides cochlear implant services to people across the South Island and lower North Island.

ACIP is the new national programme for publicly funded cochlear implant services in Aotearoa. The programme brings together The Hearing House and the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP), which provides cochlear implant services to people across the South Island and lower North Island.​

​For our kiritaki/clients and whānau, it’s business as usual. Our team will continue providing specialist cochlear implant care, support and connection across our region, from Taupō to Cape Reinga.​

​Read the full story to learn more about ACIP and what it means for our kiritaki and whānau: https://www.hearinghouse.co.nz/single-post/introducing-the-aotearoa-cochlear-implant-programme ​

05/10/2026

Are you involved in community productions? Teach at a school? Or just want to learn about making the arts accessible?

Great opportunity here:

Join the Arts For All Network national hui 2026!

👉 WHO: Arts Access Aotearoa
👉 WHEN: Wednesday 14 October, 12.30pm–2pm
👉 WHERE: Online

Join an online version of our 2026 hui, about making the arts accessible to Deaf and disabled people. Learn from 5 presenters and get the latest network updates. No cost, all welcome.

Visit the Arts Access Aotearoa Website or the Platform Interpreting website to register.
You can also RSVP at [email protected]

05/10/2026

Today is Unesco World Teachers Day.

On this stunning day in Te Whanganui-a-Tara we would like to celebrate the teachers all over the country that work with our children in early childhood centres, Kōhanga Reo, schools, Kura, specialist provisions and tertiary education.

There is always a special level of excitement when a deaf child meets a deaf teacher!

Deaf teachers work in schools all over the country - in mainstream and specialist settings. Philip King shares how his mainstream classroom works in this video:

https://youtu.be/7wpGQiKTXAk?si=rDxGXemRxsLHtl00

Did you know there have been approximately 30 Deaf teachers in New Zealand?

https://youtu.be/hSSz94-gps0?si=PRDyvQJk5Y-RgFzX

In September 2025, New Zealand welcomed Amy Geue as the first Deaf Principal of Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education New Zealand.

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/09/04/first-ever-deaf-principal-appointed-in-new-zealand/

And a special handswave 👋 to the New Zealand Sign Language Teachers Association (NZSLTA), a national non-profit organisation for NZSL teachers and tutors.

Tutors from this organisation play a huge role in teaching New Zealand Sign Language to parents and wider whānau, helping families build language and connection.

However you are involved in teaching our children and NZSL, thank you, ngā mihi nui! 💙

04/10/2026

Each hub will have NZSL interpreters present at set times.

Enrolment help is in a community near you! 👀

We’re out and about all over the motu with our teams ready to help you enrol, check and update your details, and answer any questions you have about enrolling and voting.

Here’s where we’ll be popping up next week from 5 to 11 October – nau mai, haere mai!

We’ve also got hubs in malls and community spaces in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington and Christchurch.

Check out the full list of locations to come kōrero with us in person here: https://vote.nz/enrolling/get-help-to-enrol/enrolment-in-your-community

📍Te Tai Tokerau Northland – Kaitāia, Whangārei
📍Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – Pukekohe, Māngere, Ōtara, Manurewa, Flat Bush, Manukau, New Lynn, Rānui, C*D, Henderson, Parnell
📍 Waikato – Hillcrest, Whitiora, Hamilton, Taupō, Tokoroa
📍Tairāwhiti Gisborne – Gisborne, Te Karaka
📍Te Matau-a-Māui Hawkes Bay – Camberley, Hastings, Napier, Tamatea, Waipawa
📍Te Moana-a-Toi Bay of Plenty - Rotorua
📍 Manawatū -Whanganui – Dannevirke, Pongaroa, Palmerston North
📍 Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington – Porirua, Lower Hutt, Wellington
📍 Whakatū Nelson – Richmond, Nelson, Stoke
📍 Te Tai o Poutini West Coast – Reefton, Punakaiki, Westport
📍 Waitaha Canterbury – Christchurch
📍 Ōtākou Otago – Dunedin

We’ll post again next Sunday to let you know where we’re headed next 🚘

03/10/2026

The next generation of AI-enabled earbuds and hearing aids may do far more than amplify sound.

What will hearing technologies be capable of by 2030 and 2050?

What guardrails are needed?

Drop your thoughts in the comments:

https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/10/04/weve-asked-what-ai-sees-now-we-should-ask-what-ai-hears/

From Auckland University - Comment: The risk is not that hearing aids simply record what we say. The risk is that AI-enabled hearables learn who we are.

02/10/2026

Watch to the end