Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Disability Issues): [Uses New Zealand Sign Language] Good afternoon, Mr Speaker. On Monday, I joined the Deaf and hard of hearing community to launch New Zealand Sign Language Week. This week is an opportunity to not only underline and lift the status of New Zealand Sign Language but to also celebrate and affirm the diversity of our Deaf and hard of hearing community. We're recognised as a world leader for our commitment to maintaining and furthering the use of sign language, and this is something we should take pride in this week.