1 Background information Töku reo, töku ohooho My language is my awakening* 1.1 Introduction b the right to freedom of expression and opinion including the right to This section considers the official language receive and impart information using status given to New Zealand Sign Language NZSL interpreter services (NZSL) in 2006 through the New Zealand Sign Language Act (NZSL Act). What does c the promotion and maintenance of it mean to be recognised as an official NZSL as an official language of New language? What lessons can be learnt from Zealand. the official recognition of te reo Māori in New Zealand and of sign languages in other countries? How does the history of sign 1.2 Views of deaf people language in New Zealand influence the situation today and the possibilities in the According to the World Federation of the future? Deaf, the human rights of deaf people are contingent upon the right and the In answering these questions, this chapter opportunity to acquire and use sign highlights the underpinning human rights language. This is necessary to fulfil the standards that can guide ongoing legislative right to communication itself, which is the and policy development. The following fundamental basis of a person’s mental and chapters apply this framework to the three social existence.1 areas of focus in the Inquiry’s terms of reference. These look at: The Human Rights Commission (the Commission) took seriously the principle a the right to education for deaf people and other NZSL users in section 9(1)(a) of the NZSL Act. This states that the deaf community should be 17