Tiaho Trust was visited by Catherine Bagley, Glennis Walkinshaw, Eddie Hokianga and Manaia Tautari from Deaf Aotearoa Northland to learn some basic New Zealand Sign Language and celebrate New Zealand Sign Language Week.
Eddie Hokianga taught us how to say our name and ask for the Deaf persons name and mobile phone number. We also learnt how to finger spell the alphabet, it is a really good way to start learning New Zealand Sign Language.
Tiaho encourages anybody who has half an hour to spare to learn the basics of the third official language of New Zealand. Leonard, who has just started working at Tiaho, says that the taster course “Is absolutely brilliant! I now have the confidence to converse with a deaf person albeit in a limited way.”
Eddie said that he holds NZSL classes at Tikipunga High School for those interested in learning more about Deaf Culture and Sign Language.