Three new people have joined the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board.
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“Rāhera Turner, Thora Huebner and Joanne Witko will bring strong experience, skills and community connections to the Board,” said NZSL Board Chair Catherine Greenwood.
Rāhera Turner (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Mahuta, Te Patupō, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa) chairs Te Rōpū Kaitiaki, the Board’s Māori-led strategic advisory group. She has experience as a Deaf/NZSL creative consultant in arts, government and community work.
Thora Huebner is a qualified Deaf interpreter. She has professional experience and lived experience in Deaf and NZSL communities. Her skills include sign language linguistics, Deaf studies, Deaf interpreting, Deaf education, Deaf arts and theatre.
Joanne Witko has worked for more than 15 years as a registered psychotherapist. She has strong connections with the Deaf community and good knowledge of health and mental health services.
Te Rōpū Kaitiaki also welcomes new member Tanesha Sleeman. She brings strong leadership for wāhine Turi Māori (Deaf Māori women) and rangatahi Turi Māori (Deaf Māori young people).
Te Rōpū Kaitiaki works with the NZSL Board to improve outcomes for Turi Māori. This includes improving access to te ao Māori (the Māori world) through NZSL.
Kim Robinson will stay on the Board for one more year. Monica Leach has finished her term. Erica Dawson has resigned from the Board to take up a new role.
“The Board sincerely thanks Monica and Erica for their work to support and promote NZSL. We have benefited greatly from their commitment and expertise,” said Greenwood.
Biographies:
Rāhera Turner is a Deaf/NZSL creative consultant. She has more than eight years’ experience in arts, government and community work. She brings strong knowledge of accessibility, cultural integrity and bilingual NZSL practice. She also brings lived experience as Turi Māori (Deaf Māori). Turner chairs Te Rōpū Kaitiaki and co-chairs Creative New Zealand’s Manga Tipua advisory group of Deaf and disabled artists, policy people and disability rights advocates. Turner has also served on the NZSL Board before.
Thora Huebner brings professional experience and lived experience in Deaf and NZSL communities. Her skills include sign language linguistics, Deaf studies, interpreting, education and the arts. Thora has a Deaf child and is a qualified Deaf interpreter. She has a strong understanding of language, culture, identity and access, and how these things connect.
Joanne Witko brings broad experience across the Deaf community, health and mental health systems, and central government. She is a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and a fluent NZSL user. She has deep connections in the Deaf community and strong knowledge of Deaf culture. Joanne Witko is a registered psychotherapist and works in the public sector. She also brings understanding of government systems and processes.