New Zealand Sign Language Awards Night 2026
In 2026, we marked a major milestone, 20 years since New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) became an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand. As part of NZSL Week, we were proud to host the NZSL Awards Night at Te Papa: a powerful evening to honour the people, allies, and organisations who had helped build an Aotearoa where anyone could sign anywhere.
The 2026 Awards theme, “A Legacy in Our Hands”, was a tribute to those who fought for the recognition of NZSL, and a reminder that we all had a role in shaping its future. Whether you were a Deaf leader, a passionate advocate, or someone making space for NZSL in everyday life, this night was for you.
NZSL Champion: Jon Tai-Rakena
Māori Champion: Eddie Hokianga
Youth Champion: Zoe Ferguson
Local Champions:
- Auckland: John Schischka
- Manawatū: Simi Khiani
- Wellington: Kirsten Morgan
- Otago: Michelle Sinclair
Teacher of the Year: Monica Leach
Interpreter of the Year: Felicity Crowe
NZSL in Sports & Recreation: Cory Myatt
NZSL in Arts & Culture: What Now!
NZSL in Education: Ursula Thynne (Special Mention: Mary Sleep)
NZSL in Government Agencies: Survivor Experience Service
NZSL Employer: Conrad Schiess, Pukeko Construction
NZSL in Business: Julie Fraser, Sign Equity
NZSL Accessibility: Platform Interpreting NZ
New Zealand Sign Language Awards 2024
For the first time since 2018, this NZSL Awards were held in person, with a fantastic turnout to celebrate the achievements of the NZSL community. Hosted by Minister for Disability Issues, Hon. Louise Upston, the awards took place at Parliament to officially launch the 18th NZSL Week. Jon Tai-Rakena served as the MC. We were so honoured to have Stephanie Āwheto and her whanau attend the evening where we were able to present her with Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Rotarota. This award is to recognise a lifetime of service.
Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Rotarota: Stephanie Awheto
Youth Champion: Cha’Nel Kaa Luke
NZSL Local Champions:
- Auckland: Susan Thomas
- Taranaki: Hanna Deal
- Manawatū: Candice David
- Canterbury: Noelani Ritchie
NZSL Accessibility: Concentrix/NZ Relay
NZSL Employer Award: Allpress Espresso
NZSL Interpreter of the Year: Rekha Rosario
NZSL Teacher of the Year: Shannon Morris
NZSL in Education: Dale Thomas – Fruitvale Primary School
NZSL Arts & Culture: Nadia, Rob and James – ‘For the Love’ short film
NZSL in Sports and Recreation: Chris Sinclair – Deaf Sports NZ
NZSL in Government: Stats NZ
New Zealand Sign Language Awards 2022
This year we were not able to celebrate the NZSL Week Awards at Parliament as planned. Instead the team worked with local communities to present the awards at events around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Congratulations to all the winners!
NZSL Champion: Amber Shaw, NZSL4U
Māori Champion: Tina Brightwell
Youth Champion: Annabel MacKay
NZSL Accessible Service Award: Stacy Silich and Grant Mitchell – John Rhind Funeral Directors
NZSL Interpreter of the Year: SLIANZ on behalf of all interpreters
NZSL in Media: Deaf Wellbeing Society
NZSL Employer: Catholic Diocese of Auckland
NZSL Teaching: Pam Croskery
NZSL in Schools: Ebbet Park School
NZSL in Arts: Tim Bray Theatre
NZSL in Government: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
NZSL in Sports: David Brown
NZSL in Health: Jo Witko
NZSL Local Champions:
- Auckland: Rachel Rasmussen
- Bay of Plenty: Stephanie Rorison
- Hawkes’ Bay: Nora Kirikri
- Wellington: Darryl Alexander
- Canterbury: Debra Jamieson
New Zealand Sign Language Awards 2020
View NZSL Awards 2020 videos here.
NZSL Accessible Service Award: Kordia
NZSL Interpreters: The COVID 6: Alan Wendt, Jenn Gilbert, Wenda Walton, Rosie Henley, Melissa Sutton, and Angela Murray
NZSL in Media: Merge NZ
NZSL Employer: Garage Project
NZSL Teaching: Jackie Davidson
NZSL in Early Childhood Education: St Kilda Kindergarten
NZSL in Arts: Monari Falepeau
NZSL in the Community: Lee Bullivant
NZSL in Government: NEMA
Youth Champion: Benazir Black
NZSL Champion: Deaf Wellbeing Society
Maori Champion: Eric Matthews
Supreme Long-standing Service Award: Royce Flynn
Supreme Long-standing Service Award: Jennifer & Ken Brain
Supreme Long-standing Service Award: Hemi Hema
Supreme Long-standing Service Award: Graham & Pat Lines
New Zealand Sign Language Awards 2018
NZSL in the Media: Sara Pivac Alexander, Learn NZSL
NZSL in Health: Natasha Jumelet, Deaf Wellbeing Society
NZSL in Early Childhood Education: Joint winners, Bridget Warmouth and Casa Nova Kindergarten
NZSL in Schools: Redwood Primary School
NZSL Employer: Andy Firth, Paul Kelly Motors
NZSL Teaching: Susie Ovens
NZSL Accessible Service: Coffee Educators Ltd
Interpreter of the Year: Angela Murray
NZSL in Sports: Clive Morgan
NZSL in Arts: Laura Haughey, Equal Voices
NZSL in Government Agencies: Nick Linton, Fire and Emergency NZ
Supreme Long-standing Service Award: Lynette Pivac
Supreme Long-standing Service Award: Lesley Carmichael
Youth Champion: Katherine Hickson
Māori Champion: Jared Flitcroft
NZSL Champion: Josje Lelijveld
2016
NZSL in Schools: St Theresa’s School, Plimmerton
NZSL Employer: CQ Hotels Wellington
NZSL in the Media: Lisa Thompson
NZSL in Health: Rachel Coppage, CDMHP
NZSL Teaching: Nirvana May
NZSL Accessible Service: CQ Hotels Wellington
NZSL Interpreter of the Year: Scott Williams
NZSL in Early Childhood Education: Yoshie Akasaka
Youth Champion: Matthew Flynn
Maori Champion: Joanne Klaver
NZSL Champion: Stephen Hooker
2015
NZSL Teaching Award: Karla Smith
NZSL in ECE Award: Hillpark Kindergarten
NZSL in Schools Award: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Ruanui
NZSL in the Media Award: Pickled Possum Productions
Magnet Youth Award: Eric Matthew
Maori Sign Champion Award: Patrick Thompson
NZSL in Health Award: Health Promotion Agency
NZSL Employer Award: Co-Ed Educators and Coffee Shop
NZSL Accessible Service Award: Auckland Council
NZSL Interpreter of the Year Award: Lynx
NZSL Champion Award: TeachSign Project Team
2014
NZSL Champions Award: Victoria Manning
NZSL Māori Sign Champion Award: Michael Wi
NZSL Accessible Service Award: Russell Smith, Lifestyle Choices
NZSL in Early Childhood Education Award: Doris Nicholson Kindergarten
NZSL Employer Award: Victoria University Wellington, Grant Guildford
NZSL in Health Award: Wally Potts Audiology, Kenepuru Hospital
NZSL Interpreter of the Year Award: Kelly Hodgins
NZSL in the Media Award: Attitude Pictures
NZSL in Schools Award: Sacred Heart Catholic School
NZSL Teaching Award: Carol Smith
Magnet Deaf Youth Award: Emma Paton
2013
NZSL Champion Award: Sonia Pivac, Sign DNA
NZSL Accessible Service Award: Veolia Transport Auckland
NZSL Employer Award: An Extra Pair of Hands, Palmerston North
NZSL Interpreter of the Year Award: Angela Murray, Wellington
NZSL in the Media Award: TIKI TOUR by Flux Animation and Pickled Possum Productions
NZSL in Schools Award: Shirley First Learners, Christchurch
NZSL Teaching Award: Darryl Alexander, Wellington
Magnet Deaf Youth Award: Rachel Berry, Christchurch
2012
NZSL Champion Award and NZSL in Teaching Award: David McKee, Wellington
NZSL Accessible Award: Masterpet, Wellington
NZSL Interpreter of the Year Award: Julie Coxhead, Auckland
NZSL Public Service Award: Hutt City Council
NZSL In Schools Award: St Johns School, Ranfurly and Tauranga Intermediate
Magnet Youth Award: Mark Berry, Wellington
2011
NZSL Champion Award: Lee Ann Rose
Interpreter of the Year Award: Evelyn Pateman and Jeremy Borland (joint winners)
Māori Signs Champion Award: Bonnie Ormsby
NZSL In Schools Award: Titahi Bay School
NZSL Teaching Award: Kay Hunia
Public Service Award: New Zealand Fire Service
NZSL Accessible Award: Tiaho Trust
2010
NZSL Champion Award: Bridget Ferguson
Interpreter of the Year Award: Alan Wendt
Māori Signs Champion Award: No entries received
NZSL In Schools Award: Paparoa Ranges School
NZSL Teaching Award: Lisa Shand (New Plymouth)
Public Service Award: Constable Deborah Leahy, New Zealand Police
NZSL Accessible Award: The Learning Connexion, Wellington
2009
NZSL Champion Award: Brent Macpherson
Interpreter of the Year Award: Delys Magill
Māori Signs Champion Award: Richard Peri
NZSL In Schools Award: St Pius X School
NZSL Teaching Award: Sara Pivac Alexander
Public Service Award: Christchurch City Council
NZSL Accessible Award: Department of Conservation (Blenheim)
South Island award winners
Interpreter of the Year Award: Elisabeth Kay
NZSL In Schools Award: Garin College
NZSL Teaching Award: Carol Smith
Service awards
Special recognition of three key people who have given considerable commitment and passion to the advancement of NZSL within NZ were awarded these awards:
Long Standing Service Award – North Island: Shona McGhie
Long Standing Service Award – South Island: Patty Still
Supreme Long Standing Service Award: Rachel McKee