New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is an official language of Aotearoa and this week is New Zealand Sign Language Week.
NZSL is the language of New Zealand's deaf community and uses the hands, body and facial expressions to express meaning.
Whanganui's foremost NZSL teacher is Shona Beamsley, who was born with no hearing in one ear and partial hearing in the other.
Beamsley teaches New Zealand Sign Language at UCOL, Wanganui Hearing Association and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa's raranga (flax weaving) classes.
Although she loves her work teaching New Zealand Sign Language, being deaf impedes her other occupation as a senior staffer at Broadview Lifecare rest home.