National Foundation for the Deaf

The National Foundation for the Deaf Inc promotes the rights, interests and welfare of the one in six New Zealanders with hearing loss. We offer people support to communicate effectively, live positively and achieve to their potential.

Parent to Parent New Zealand

Empowering families and whānau of people with disabilities and health impairments through support and information.

Magnet Youth

Representing Deaf and hearing impaired youth in New Zealand, our purpose is to grow, inspire and develop positive Deaf identity and leadership. Working with other youth and Deaf-related organisations we aim to make mainstream youth programmes more accessible to those with hearing impairment. 

Hearing House

The Hearing House is a charity for deaf children and their families that was established in 1998. Our mission is to teach deaf and hearing-impaired children to listen and speak.

Deaf Aotearoa

Deaf Aotearoa is a Deaf-led, not-for-profit organisation. We are the only nationwide provider of services to Deaf people. Deaf Aotearoa represents Deaf people in New Zealand internationally as an ordinary member of the World Federation of the Deaf.

New Zealand Sign Language Teachers Association (NZSLTA)

NZSLTA is a national professional organisation for teachers of New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Our mission is to to promote the teaching of NZSL to the general public and ensure the quality and standards of teaching.

Deaf Radio

A Deaf-run creative hub, providing New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) expertise to deliver innovative opportunities for NZSL accessibility and preservation.

Deaf Sports New Zealand (DSNZ)

DSNZ was established in 1963 and is the only national organisation which is responsible for sports to be beneficial to Deaf athletes in New Zealand.

Deaf Education Centres

There are two Deaf Education Centres (DECs) in New Zealand that provide services for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The DECs are governed by a Combined Board of Trustees of Kelston Deaf Education Centre and van Asch Deaf Education Centre and are accountable for student achievement. The strategic focus of the Board is working with families, whānau and the Deaf community to provide equitable and coordinated deaf education. DECs employ Resource Teachers: Deaf (RTD). 

Kelston Deaf Education Centre

Kelston Deaf Education Centre (KDEC) is located in Auckland and is committed to ensuring that Deaf and hearing impaired students reach their full potential. KDEC has a Residential Special School (Yr 1-15), a specialist pre-school setting and a regional RTD service that provides a range of teaching and specialist services to over 400 Deaf and hearing impaired students in more than 250 mainstream schools throughout the KDEC region (all areas north of Taupo).

Van Asch Deaf Education Centre

The van Asch Deaf Education Centre (VDEC) is a Residential Special School for deaf children, located in Sumner, Christchurch and provides  services to all areas south of Taupo. They provide early intervention; regional RTD service; three core schools – Wharenui for primary-aged students, Sumner and Hagley hubs for secondary students; resource and technical services. VDEC is also the location of the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP).

Cochlear Implant Groups

Southern Cochlear Implant Programme

Established in 2003, the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme grew from a direct need for local support for cochlear implant patients (children and adults who reside south of Taupo) and their families. Centrally located in Sumner, Christchurch, the SCIP team is dedicated to the identification and rehabilitation of children and adults with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss who derive minimal benefit from conventional hearing aids.

Northern Cochlear Implant Programme

The Northern Cochlear Implant Programme (NCIP) is funded by the Ministry of Health and administered by the Northern Cochlear Implant Trust (NCIT). The clients of the programme are profoundly deaf children and adults who reside north of Taupo in New Zealand.

Technology/Hearing Aids

Oticon

Oticon provides hearing solutions that enhance the learning abilities for children with hearing loss or listening difficulties.

Deaf Quip

Deaf-Quip brings affordable technology solutions to people who are Deaf, Deaf-blind or Hard of hearing. Specialises in quality assistive devices that provide solutions to barriers within the home or working environment and can solve issues within noisy industrial environments.

Overseas Websites

Deaf Children Australia

Deaf Children Australia employs over 60 staff and volunteers who, together with our Board of Directors, are united in their desire to remove barriers to the personal development and social inclusion faced by children and young people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

National Deaf Children’s Society (England)

The National Deaf Children’s Society is the leading charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. Our visions and values reflect the fact that we remain essentially a parents’ organisation, dedicated to the needs of all deaf children, their families and carers.

Hands and Voices (USA)

We are parents of American Sign Language (ASL) signers, cued speech users…. parents of kids with cochlear implants or total communicators… we are people who have common interests connected through the community of deafness. Hands & Voices is a safe place to explore options, get unemotional support (although we can be emotional about it!), learn from one another and share what we have in common.