2024 Recipients

Every year, the NZSL Board supports community initiatives to maintain and promote NZSL through a grant process.

The NZSL Board considered whether the applications match the application criteria and the priorities of the NZSL Strategy (2018-2023). Seven projects have been approved for grants in 2024, totalling just under $250,000. 

Successful projects

Our language, our pathway to our future - Ko Te Reo Rotarota o Aotearoa te ara ki te ao - NZSLTA Conference 2025: NZSL Club - $38,000.00

The NZSLTA Conference aims to build knowledge, skills, and confidence in NZSL teachers. In 2025, the conference will be held at Waitangi and focus on NZSL teachers achieving more culturally appropriate education for Māori and non-Māori NZSL students. 

APODC Camp 2025: Auckland Parents of Deaf Children - $50,000.00

A family camp fully supporting the use of NZSL, with outdoor physical activities, sensory activities, and Deaf community and culture workshops. The camp will include a pōwhiri and poroporoaki with a trilingual interpreter to ensure it is culturally inclusive.

Incorporated Societies Act NZSL Workshops: Deaf Aotearoa - $40,000.00

Ensuring the Deaf community is fully informed of the changes to the Incorporated Societies Act, so that they can engage with organisations they are members of. This will be done through the creation of accessible NZSL workshops.

Deaf Society of Canterbury (DSC) Digitisation Project: Deaf Society of Canterbury - $33,703.78

Digitising the history of the Deaf Society of Canterbury. This project aims to release a historical section on their website, digitise minutes and other documents, photograph all clothing and trophies, and film NZSL stories about historic items.

NZSL Clubs around New Zealand: Merge NZ - $20,000.00

Hosting NZSL Clubs in 5 places around NZ with qualified NZSL teachers to facilitate activities. These NZSL Clubs will be for anyone in the community, particularly NZSL students, Deaf children, their parents and family members, and Deaf adults to practice using NZSL in person, because most people learn NZSL online.

Deaf Seniors Project: Deaf Aotearoa - $18,190.00

Phase 2 of the project to improve the quality of life of Deaf Seniors aged 60+. Phase 2 will involve meeting with Deaf and Turi Māori Seniors across NZ to share research and get feedback on how Deaf Aotearoa can better meet their needs with their Adults & Seniors work.

NZSL Camp for Deaf Children and their Families: Wellington Deaf Society and Manawatu Deaf Society - $50,000.00

WDS and MDS NZSL camp for Deaf children and their families/whānau living in the Greater Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Horowhenua regions. Aim to foster connections and understanding between families/whānau who have a Deaf child/ren, and to promote/raise awareness of NZSL in everyday and community environments.