The Action Plan focuses on early and tangible actions that create momentum for the Strategy.
1. Aquisition and learning
These first actions are aimed at establishing a shared understanding across the education system and support longer term reform to improve NZSL outcomes for Deaf children and NZSL users.
Host a Deaf Education Futures Forum
A Deaf Education strategic hui will bring together education stakeholders, Deaf leaders, parent groups, and government agencies to strengthen pathways for Deaf learners, improve system responsiveness, and address capability gaps in Deaf education.
2. Evidence and data
Support Stats NZ to improve data infrastructure or NZSL
Whaikaha will work with Stats NZ to improve data infrastructure relevant to NZSL users, enabling the development of an NZSL indicators framework and strengthening monitoring of access, usage, and outcomes.
3. Deaf and NZSL workforce strategy
Host a national NZSL workforce development forum
The forum will identify system-wide NZSL workforce needs, including teachers who work with deaf children, NZSL teachers, and interpreters, and develop collaborative actions across agencies and providers to strengthen workforce sustainability.
Develop an interpreter workforce strategy
A comprehensive strategy will be developed to support:
- NZSL interpreters
- trilingual interpreters (NZSL–te reo Māori–English)
- tactile sign language interpreters (for Deafblind).
This will include identifying capability pathways, training needs, and system improvements.
NZSL interpreter standards
Whaikaha will support the development of NZSL interpreter standards. NZSL interpreting is an unregulated profession and NZSL interpreter standards are needed to ensure Deaf people consistently receive safe, accurate and culturally appropriate interpreting services that uphold their rights, build trust, and enable full and equitable access to public services and civic life.
4. Public sector
NZSL Capability Plans developed and supported
To improve how public services respond to Deaf people and NZSL users, Whaikaha will support several public service departments to develop NZSL Capability Plans. These plans are about building awareness, skills, and systems so NZSL is considered early and consistently.
NZSL Capability Plans will outline practical steps agencies will take to improve access to information and services for NZSL users and to strengthen their ongoing capability to use and support NZSL as an official language.
To support transparency and shared accountability, public service agencies will also be expected to include information about NZSL access and usage in their annual reporting. This will help build a clearer picture of how NZSL is being used across government over time and support learning and improvement.
Support targeted engagement across government
The NZSL Board will work with key agencies to accelerate progress, including:
- Public Service Commission: ensuring Leadership Development Centre programmes are available with NZSL interpreters
- Ministry of Education: developing a detailed Action Plan for NZSL in schools
- Ministry of Health: developing an Action Plan for NZSL use in health settings
- Stats NZ: improving data infrastructure for NZSL users.
New Zealand Sign Language & Artificial Intelligence Forum
A national forum will explore opportunities and risks relating to NZSL and AI, and support ethical, Deaf-led and innovative use of technology, including informing how government funds NZSL-related AI projects appropriately.
5. Celebrating NZSL
20th Anniversary of the NZSL Act (2026)
Deaf clubs across New Zealand will lead NZSL Board-funded celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of NZSL.
Action Plan Launched
The May 2026–June 2027 Action Plan will be publicly launched, increasing visibility and enabling coordinated action.