Conference Programme 2025

Thursday 19th June

Registrations - at Copthorne Hotel on arrival

Here's the full programme below, there may be minor changes as we continue updating them closer to the conference.


Day 1 - Friday 20th June

Waitangi Treaty Ground, 1 Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi

Time Activity
8.30am - 9.30am Pōwhiri
9.30am - 10.00am Kai/Inu (MORNING TEA)
10.00am - 11.00am Welcome, opening of conference, Māori Turi present
11.00am - 11.40am International Key Speaker Maligagu: Empowering Deaf First Nations People

Exploring the Social Emotional Cultural Wellbeing of our people and the essential foundations to enable us to thrive. 

Rodney Adams
11.40am - 12.40pm LUNCH
12.40pm - 1.20pm Presentations Face-to-face NZSL public presentation skills

Susie Ovens
Responsibilities when using TeachSign resources

Shannon Morris
1.20pm - 2.50pm Workshops Your Right in Employment and Self-Employment (Contractor)

Aotearoa Disability Law Centre: Chris Blum
Equal Voices Theatre Workshop

How to keep our stories alive.
2.50pm - 3.30pm Afternoon TEA
3.30pm - 4.10pm Presentations Understanding in Māori culture

Rachel Walker
International Updates in Sign Language Teaching

Sara Pivac Alexander, Darlene Thornton & Rachel McKee
4.00pm - 5.30pm Your own free time
5.30pm - 6.45pm Hāngi dinner - at Wharekai Cafe or Conference venue
7.00pm - 9.00pm STORYFEST at the Conference venue

Day 2 - Saturday 21st June

Waitangi Treaty Ground, 1 Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi

Time Activity
9.00am - 10.00am International Key Speaker Does visual iconicity help students learn sign language grammar?

Adam Schembri
10.00am - 10.30am Open discussion Reviewing NZSL Teachers / Tutors Pay Rates

Monica Leach & Rachel Walker
10.30am - 11.00am MORNING TEA
11.00am - 12.00pm Workshops He taonga te reo turi, NZSL is a treasure

Jon Tai-Rakena
NZSL styles in online video posts

Rachel McKee, Sara Pivac Alexander & Catherine Greenwood
12.00pm - 12.40pm Presentations Unlocking Your Online NZSL Classroom: A Simple Guide to Flipped Learning

Ursula Thynne
Understanding Cyber Bullying and Your Legal Rights in Aotearoa

Aotearoa Disability Law Centre: Chris Blum

 

12.40pm - 1.30pm LUNCH
1.30pm - 3.30pm NZSLTA AGM
3.30pm - 4.00pm Afternoon TEA
4.00pm - 4.30pm Panel - RAP
4.30pm - 6.00pm Your own free time
6.00pm - 10.00pm Social Dinner & Awards

Day 3 - Sunday 22nd June

Copthorne Hotel

Time Activity
9.00am - 9.40am Presentations Quick and Easy Resources: ChatGPT for NZSL Tutors

Janet Wardle-Peck
How to set up NZSL classes

Shannon Morris
9.40am - 10.30am Workshop Empowering Families Through NZSL: More than just language

Natasha Cloete & Stephanie Rorison
10.30am - 11.00am MORNING TEA
11.00am - 12.00pm Closing
12noon Conference ends

 

Updated dated 23 May 2025.