Key messages from the June board meeting.
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In May 2025, the Board met to make recommendations on the NZSL Fund community grants. We enjoyed reading all of the applications, and we are looking forward to seeing the outcome of the successful projects. Watch out for a separate announcement on this topic.
We also met with Jo Cribb who continues to provide coaching us on good governance practice.
The Board would like to congratulate Deaf Aotearoa on another successful NZSL Week.
In June, the Board had another meeting, and welcomed new Board members Rosita Rapihana and Sarah Mason, and a new TRK member, Brooklyn West. Rāhera Turner was appointed as the Chair of Te Rōpū Kaitiaki. There was a mihi whakatau to welcome the new members and the Board appreciated the attendance of Paula Tesoriero (Chief Executive of Whaikaha) and Ginny Baddeley (DCE Strategy and Enablement), along with Brigham Anderson (Principal Advisor Māori) who facilitated the mihi whakatau.
We would like to thank David McKee for providing expert advice as a Board member for four years. We also would like to thank Eric Matthews for his time on Te Rōpū Kaitiaki and providing us with his perspective as Turi Māori.
Te Rōpū Kaitiaki also joined the Board's June 2025 meeting to strengthen the relationship between both groups.
Joanne Becker and Erica Dawson were appointed as deputy Chairs of the Board, and Sam Te Maari was appointed the deputy Chair of TRK. The Board would like to express their thanks to Jaime Brown for her time as deputy Chair.
The Board made some decisions on the implementation of NZSL interpreter standards using NAATI. More information will be coming soon.
The Board also received feedback and submissions from the community on the NZSL Strategy which is now being analysed to finalise the new NZSL Strategy.
The NZSL Community Grants criteria was also reviewed for future rounds.
During June, Members of the Board and TRK went to the Power of Connection event at Parliament, hosted by Hearing House, and Catherine Greenwood (Chair) went to the DeafBlind Association NZ's conference. Catherine delivered speeches at both events.
The Board would like to acknowledge that June 27 was the first International Day of Deafblindness.
The Board is sad to announce that Manager NZSL, Tom O’Neill has resigned because he will be travelling overseas. We wish Tom well in his travels and know that he will always support the Board’s work. Amanda Stone, advisor in the NZSL team has accepted a new position at Stats NZ which is a big loss for the Board and NZSL team, but we are all excited to have an ally at Stats NZ. We wish them both well!