Cha’Nel Kaa-Luke

Contributing Writer

Cha’Nel Kaa-Luke (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Porou) is a proud queer wāhine Māori Turi. Cha'Nel championed accessibility at the NZ Youth Parliament General Debate Assembly in 2019 and contributed to MSD’s recent Social Cohesion Framework consultation process, as well as continuing to raise awareness for further Deaf/ Disabled rōpū. Since starting university, Cha’Nel has advocated for access to NZSL. She gives her time to make recreational spaces more accessible, like when she interprets for renowned Drag Queen Anita Wiglit and in Māori arts spaces.

Four people hold up 'peace' signs or give thumbs up to the camera, in front of a sign that reads: World Federation of the Deaf, WFD

Five lessons Aotearoa can learn from the World Federation of the Deaf Congress

The beauty of being surrounded by Deaf culture at the World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf helped Cha’nel Kaa-Luke realise how much more of it she wanted.

ByCha’Nel Kaa-Luke

Opinion Watch

An photo of Cha'nel is surrounded by creative graphics, including imagery of a disco ball, headphones and a book.

My D*List: Cha'nel Kaa-Luke and her dreams for indigenous Deaf communities

Cha'nel Kaa-Luke thinks research on indigenous Deaf people should show "how to better engage with our communities on terms that suit us".

ByCha’Nel Kaa-Luke

People Read