New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006

4 Interpretation

• In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

  Deaf community means—

  • (a) the distinct linguistic and cultural group of people who are deaf and who use New Zealand Sign Language as their first or preferred language; and

  • (b) people who are deaf and who identify with the group of people referred to in paragraph (a)

  government department means a government department named in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975

  interpretation, in relation to New Zealand Sign Language, means—

  • (a) the expression in New Zealand Sign Language of words spoken in English or Maori or both; and

  • (b) the oral expression in English or Maori or both of messages expressed in New Zealand Sign Language

  legal proceedings means—

  • (a) proceedings before any court or tribunal named in the Schedule; and

  • (b) proceedings before any coroner; and

  • (c) proceedings before—

    • (i) a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908; or

    • (ii) a tribunal or other body having, by or pursuant to an enactment, the powers or any of the powers of a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908,—

  that is required to inquire into and report upon any matter of particular interest to the Deaf community

  Minister means, subject to any enactment, the Minister who is, with the authority of the Prime Minister, for the time being responsible for the administration of this Act

  New Zealand Sign Language or NZSL means the visual and gestural language that is the first or preferred language in New Zealand of the distinct linguistic and cultural group of people who are deaf

  presiding officer, in relation to any legal proceedings, means the Judge or other person who is presiding over the proceedings

  translation, in relation to New Zealand Sign Language, means—

  • (a) the written expression in English or Maori or both of messages expressed in New Zealand Sign Language; and

  • (b) the signed expression in New Zealand Sign Language of words written in English or Maori or both.

  Compare: 1987 No 176 s 2