Skip to main content

Kōrero: New Zealand Sign Language

Variations in New Zealand Sign Language

School

School — Older signers

Older signers

School — Younger signers

Younger signers

Green

Green — Older signers

Older signers

Green — Younger signers

Younger signers

Green — Central region and/or older signers

Central region and/or older signers

Cricket (game)

Cricket — Male and/or younger signers

Male and/or younger signers

Cricket — Female and/or older signers

Female and/or older signers

Nine

Nine — Northern region signers

Northern region signers

Nine — Southern region and/or younger signers

Southern region and/or younger signers

Nine — Older signers

Older signers

Dictionaries of New Zealand Sign Language show alternative signs for many concepts. Like any language, NZSL has variations that have developed over time. In particular, older and younger generations, northern and southern signers, and men and women, may prefer different signs for some common concepts.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Victoria University of Wellington

Images: Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Rachel McKee, New Zealand Sign Language – Ghost page, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/diagram/47336/variations-in-new-zealand-sign-language (accessed 5 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Rachel McKee, i tāngia i te 25 August 2020, updated 1 September 2020.