Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly named the New Zealand Association of the Deaf and the Deaf Association of New Zealand). Deaf Aotearoa is a Disabled Person’s Organisation and the New Zealand representative for the World Federation of the Deaf, the international body for Deaf people. Deaf Aotearoa works closely with government agencies, other not-for-profit organisations and the private sector to increase awareness of Deaf people’s lives, promote NZSL and strengthen the rights of Deaf people.