Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: There are approximately 20,000 people in New Zealand who use sign language as a form of communication and, of this, approximately 4,600 are Deaf or hard of hearing. While this week is New Zealand Sign Language Week, every week we must take steps forward towards improving accessibility, raising awareness, and building inclusivity for our Deaf and hard of hearing community. I'm pleased that New Zealand Sign Language continues to evolve and thrive as an official language of New Zealand.