Eckhoff Gerrard: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — First Reading 
Eckhoff Gerrard: New Zealand Sign Language Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:618;Page:13782] 
GERRARD ECKHOFF (ACT) 
: 
 It is as if by some chance of fate that I have just lost battery power to one ear. I thought it would be appropriate to remove both of my hearing aids for the purpose of this speech. It would seem that the New Zealand Sign Language Bill is designed to give Deaf New Zealanders the right to an officially recognised and unique language for a grouping of unique New Zealanders. The bill is designed to give legal status to communication between Deaf people and between Deaf and hearing people. Deaf people need to have legally recognised that most fundamental requirement of human beings—that is the ability to communicate with each other. There is no greater inherent need than to interact with our fellow beings. Throughout the animal kingdom there is a common thread that we all share. To be shut off from our world by an inability to relate to one another must be the ultimate form of loneliness. To be able to express fully to others the joys and sorrows we feel from time to time is the thing that truly sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. 
The right and the need to express real emotion opinion thoughts disapproval love and indeed hate by language is to me the most essential part of my being. The language of the Deaf is every bit as real as the words spoken and received by those of us who are blessed with hearing. It is right and proper that those who share this special way of communicating should be officially recognised along with their language and I thank the Government and the Minister for that. But I ask: what of the unintended consequence of this bill? For example will the bill require all workplaces—as indeed Parliament—in future to have a sign language exponent? If so what impact will that have on business already struggling under the cost of compliance? Is this bill just another politically correct example of the Government wanting to ingratiate itself with sector groups? Hopefully the select committee will answer those questions. 
I do not presume to understand what it must be like to live in a silent world although I do have a very real hearing loss. Apparently I have been deaf since birth and have exacerbated the problem with the use of tractors and chainsaws but I do have some small understanding of the problems that the Deaf face on a daily basis. I used to joke: “How do I know what I think unless I hear what I say?”. Members should think about that for a moment. As a child I recall constantly asking the kid sitting next to me in school what the teacher was saying and what word was that. The kids would get sick of answering my question and I would get sick of asking so I switched off. My report cards used to state constantly: “Doesn’t pay attention in class. Could try harder.” Often I would be caned for distracting the class or fooling around because my world was often one of blurred sounds—as it is today. I would be accused of selective hearing as some words and sounds are of course much easier to understand than others. I have been ridiculed in this very Chamber because I did not hear the Speaker call me. I miss so much of the repartee that occurs in this debating chamber. However all of these small things pale into insignificance alongside those who can communicate only by sign language. To deny the Deaf the right to be officially heard through sign language is simply wrong. 
But I am not sure that we need to pass a bill into statute. Do we? I am not sure. Deaf people are often thought of as being slow—especially when I was quite young—but of course nothing can be further from the truth. But they do face major hurdles in life. I am told for example that more Deaf people commit suicide and end their life than other people who have physical impairments. The reason for that must surely be the frustration at not being able to communicate well with their fellow human beings. I am not at all sure that giving official recognition to sign language will change the public’s attitude to those with handicaps such as deafness. 
It seems to me that in New Zealand we are inclined to help those who choose not to help themselves and ignore the plight of those in genuine need. In my view the blind the Deaf or those who are handicapped in a physical or mental way should be at the top of the list of those seeking Government assistance. They should not have to raise money through appeals and raffles to ensure a reasonable quality of life. 
Let us hope that this bill is the start of a new awareness of the needs of our Deaf community. ACT will support it to the select committee with some reservations as to the unintended consequences of this well-meaning bill.