TVNZ is set to host Election debates at 7pm each night on 31st August, 8th September and 20th September on Television.
--- These debates will be captioned.---
--- These debates will NOT have a NZSL Interpreter---

The Young Voters debate will be Livestream on 14th September (7.30pm).
--- This debate is NOT captioned.---
--- This debate will NOT have a NZSL Interpreter---

Deaf and Hard of Hearing voters need full access to assist making an informed choice.

TVNZ needs to add:

1. NZSL Interpreters to BOTH Televised and Livestream debates

2. Caption the Young Voters Livestream debate.

TVNZ response to date has been:

Hi Kim

I understand you were asking if there will be sign language interpreters at our Election debates.

I can advise we won’t be incorporating sign language into this year’s live coverage.

The TVNZ 1 debates, Election night coverage and the two hour Q +A special the day after the Election will be live captioned, however.

We recognise that a number of hearing impaired New Zealanders would prefer to see a sign language interpreter rather than on screen captions.

Unfortunately, we’re not set up to accommodate an interpreter in our live news presentations.

Kind regards,

(name withheld by petitioner)

Every Deaf and Hard of Hearing voter deserves to have the full access to these debates that can assist their decision making choices.

Deaf Action New Zealand requests TVNZ to make available the above means of access during the debates.

https://deafaction.org.nz/

Petition will close on Sunday 27th August (midnight) and handed to TVNZ on Monday 28th August.

Support the advocacy work Deaf Action (New Zealand) does by making a donation at:

https://givealittle.co.nz/org/deafaction