Stewart Barbara: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — Second Reading 
Stewart Barbara: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:629;Page:1462] 
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First I rise to support the second reading of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill. New Zealand First appreciates that this bill will give New Zealand Sign Language official recognition. As we have heard from the previous speaker New Zealand Sign Language is a language in its own right and it is to have equal status to spoken languages. Our New Zealand Sign Language differs from that of other countries just as spoken languages do. It is unique. 
I was most interested to read that in 1997 the first  
Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language 
 was published—a heavy hardback book containing over 4000 signs and costing around $100. That publication was considered to be a milestone. Five years on the editor Graeme Kennedy produced the concise version—a compact soft-cover book with 2500 of the most commonly used signs—for about $60. This book was more accessible. 
Today is another landmark day as this bill is a step closer to becoming law. New Zealand First believes that this bill is a significant step forward in achieving the vision of a fully inclusive New Zealand as is outlined in the Disability Strategy. The New Zealand Sign Language Bill represents a significant step forward for the Deaf community. The Deaf community and the Deaf Association have been seeking official recognition of their language for a long time. New Zealand First pays tribute to the dedication the commitment and the leadership of all of those involved in promoting and advancing this important bill. 
As the Minister has pointed out the immediate effect of the bill will be to provide people with the right to use sign language in any legal proceedings. That is an important component of access to justice. 
The demand for interpreters will be increased with the passing of this legislation in much the same way as occurred with the official recognition of the Maori language. We hope that sufficient people have been trained to ensure that this service can be provided. Now that sign language will be given official recognition there must be adequate resourcing to ensure that competent interpreters are available as and when required. Unless a high level of competency can be guaranteed there is a significant risk that the dialogue will not be relayed correctly. 
It is very clear that differing standards of interpretation are needed according to the context of the interpretation. The skills required to interpret effectively in an educational environment would be considerably different from those required in a medical or legal environment. We are very aware that there is possibly a shortage of competent interpreters in New Zealand as is the case overseas. Most interpreters would currently have an employer and no doubt all the work they can handle. The recruitment and training of interpreters will now be a priority. We can only hope that this issue is being worked upon at the very highest levels. Commitment is essential. 
New Zealand First is pleased with the introduction of the Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting offered by the Auckland University of Technology. It is the only course designed for sign language interpreting at this point in time. The starting date for that course is February 2006 and it is to be hoped that many students enrol. The successful completion of that 2-year full-time programme must be a prerequisite for employment because the role of the interpreter is very specialised with responsibility for facilitating and overall being an essential part of the communication between the deaf and the hearing people in society. Signing relies on a very accurate exchange of information that is often carried out at demanding rates with complex concepts being communicated. We look forward to a steady stream of graduates from that course. 
As many as one in five New Zealanders have been identified as having a permanent hearing impairment or disability. For many New Zealanders with a hearing disability communication and access to information is a key issue. All too often people are not able to participate in society because they cannot get the information they need in the form they need it in. The Deaf community must be equipped with the resources necessary to enable them to participate fully within the community. 
I was very pleased to read on the Wellington City Council website that the council offers a sign language interpreting service to improve communication between the Deaf community and the council. We hope that other councils have followed or will follow that example. 
We will be very interested in the review of this legislation to be carried out after 1 March 2009 as outlined in the bill. A great deal must be done to ensure that the Deaf community gains the ability to participate fully in society. It will be very timely to review progress at this time. 
New Zealand First congratulates the Deaf community on all the work it has done to ensure that this legislation has reached Parliament. It is with great pleasure that New Zealand First supports this bill.