Thirteen Outreach School students travelled far to meet others like them and to discover more about themselves and the heritage of Deaf people while immersed in Deaf spaces.

Deaf Youth Hui programmes are based on the themes of Deaf Studies, uniting Outreach School Deaf and hard of hearing students on the journey within Deaf spaces to discover themselves and the knowledge, history, culture, arts and language of Deaf people. Through interactions, games, visits, research, history, and visual and performing arts with others like them, rangatahi can share what it means to be deaf and grow their Deafhood towards self-acceptance and confidence.

The first programme, "Who am I? | Ko wai au?" was held at the Sumner campus, where seven teenagers focused on identity, Deaf identities, Deaf role models and pepeha. The following programme, "Deaf People and Deaf Spaces | Tāngata Turi me Wāhi Turi" held at Kelston campus, saw six adolescents learning about Deaf culture, Deaf communities, Turi Māori, Deaf View Image Art (De'VIA), Deaf sports, Deaf education and Deaf history at various Deaf spaces, including Rūaumoko Marae.

Feedback from the hui:

Student age 13:

Deaf and hard of hearing youth should come to Deaf Youth Hui … because you have fun learning about who you are, your identity, meet new people who are also Deaf and hard of hearing and make new friends. I would be keen to come to Deaf Youth Hui again.

Student age 13:

I liked the activities and doing fun things that still related to the topic. I met lots of other deaf kids and learned more about who I am as a deaf person. You meet new deaf people who are your age and actually understand what it's like to not be able to hear as much as other people and just it's a community of Deaf people that understand.

Student age 16:

It helped me make good friends. Great for communication and get confident in that.