Official Language Status
NZSL became the second official language of New Zealand in April 2006, joining Te Reo Māori. The parliamentary bill to approve this passed its third reading on April 6, 2006. At the first reading in Parliament, on June 22, 2004, the bill was supported by all political parties. It was referred to the Justice and Electoral Committee, which reported back to the House on July 18, 2005. The second reading passed 119 to 2 on February 23, 2006 with only the ACT party opposing because the government is not providing funding for NZSL. It passed the third reading on April 6, 2006 with the same margin.
The bill received Royal Assent, a constitutional formality, on 10 April 2006. New Zealand Sign Language became an official language of New Zealand the day after Royal Assent.
The use of NZSL as a valid medium of instruction has not always been accepted by the Government, the Association of Teachers of the Deaf, or many parents. However, in light of much research into its validity as a language and much advocacy by deaf adults, parents of deaf children (both hearing and deaf) and educationalists, NZSL has since become — in tandem with English — part of the bilingual/bicultural approach used in public schools (including Kelston Deaf Education Centre and Van Asch Deaf Education Centre) since 1994. Victoria University of Wellington has courses in New Zealand Sign Language, although it has yet to develop a major program for it. AUT teaches a diploma course for NZSL interpreting.
Read more about this topic: New Zealand Sign Language
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