Effective date: 1 June 2026
The Deaf Studies Research Unit (DSRU) provides a range of resources to help people learn and use New Zealand Sign Language. NZSL belongs to the Deaf community, and our resources document the language to make it accessible for everyone. These terms only apply to the content created by us for the Learn NZSL, NZSL Dictionary, and NZSL Share websites, mobile applications and related resources. This includes the videos, images, drawings, explanations, and the way we present signs. It also includes the structure of our NZSL resources, including the arrangement, tags, topics, ordering, and English/Te Reo labels. You must not copy or reuse this content unless it is allowed under these terms, or you have our permission.
These terms help us promote NZSL fairly and sustainably. They make sure that our resources are used in ways that benefit the Deaf community and support learning. They also help us set clear limits around new situations that did not exist when this work first began, such as commercial apps built from our videos, and artificial intelligence. We have kept some uses open and easy, especially for learning and teaching. Other uses need permission so we can make sure our content is not used in misleading, commercial, or harmful ways. This approach helps learners, protects the integrity of NZSL education, and ensures that our work continues to serve the community it was created for.
All NZSL resource content is either owned by DSRU or used with permission of its creator(s). People who upload their own videos or images to NZSL Share keep ownership of their own content.
In certain circumstances, NZSL resources may host content produced or owned by others and used by us with permission. This includes user generated content on NZSL Share. This is usually noted alongside the relevant content. These terms do not apply to that third party content; you must seek permission from the owner to use their content.
You must not use any of our content to train, test, or build AI systems. This includes scraping, copying, downloading, or adding our content to any dataset used for machine learning. You must not reverse engineer, rebuild or re-record the content or structure of our websites, applications, or other NZSL resources as a dataset for AI.
Other than as stated above, you may always use our NZSL resources directly. You may also refer others to our NZSL resources to use directly themselves. The restrictions set out below only apply if you are taking copies or otherwise reusing our content. For example, someone teaching a class in person may always refer students to our NZSL resources in class or distribute handouts. But a person building a website offering NZSL-related services must not take copies or make adaptations of our content without our permission.
You may look at, watch, or read anything on our NZSL resources. You may save one copy for your own learning or study. You may share links to our NZSL resources with anyone.
Teachers may use and distribute copies of our content in class – however please take note of the following paragraphs regarding commercial use and adaptations.
You must not sell our content, use our content to advertise commercial services, or otherwise use our content to directly make money unless we give permission. This includes using our content to build websites, apps, books, and other products or services. You may use content when teaching NZSL classes and distributing copies of our content (such as vocabulary sheets) in class.
You must ask us for permission prior to remixing, changing or adapting our content. This includes translating our content into another language, turning it into a new website or app, or combining with other data. We will usually give permission for small adaptations (up to 50 signs) or where the adaptation is clearly to benefit the Deaf community. If we give permission, you must say where the content came from and share your new version under the same rules as this licence.
You must not use our logos or other branding without permission.
If you want to use our content in a way that is not clearly allowed here, please contact us using this form or by emailing us at [email protected]. Tell us which content you want to use, how you want to use it, who will see it, and how the Deaf community may benefit. We will review your request and let you know if it is permitted.
If you use our content with permission, you must say where it came from. Use wording along the lines of:
For direct use: Content from The Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language - NZSL Online
For adaptations: Based on NZSL Dictionary. Adapted by [your name]. Shared under the same rules as the original. See The Online Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language - NZSL Online for more.
The Deaf Studies Research Unit is hosted by the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.