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The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT) was set up in August 2010.

BANZAT’s purpose is to set standards and to make rulings on braille code usage within New Zealand, maintain awareness and consistency with current international developments in all braille codes, accredit practitioners involved in braille production, promote braille as the prime literacy medium for blind people and promote best practice in teaching, acquisition and distribution of braille. Information about the history of braille in New Zealand is available here.

Two Centuries of Braille

On 4 January we are celebrating the birth of Frenchman Louis Braille in 1809. 2024 marks two centuries of Braille, the writing system developed by Louis Braille that blind people still need and use today. Indeed we will continue to read Braille until sighted people stop reading print. The way we use Braille has changed … Read more

Registrations now open for next ICEB General Assembly

Registrations are now open for the 8th General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille. This will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from Saturday 25 May to Thursday 30 May 2024. The General Assembly is proudly hosted by The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust. We look forward to welcoming you at … Read more

ICEB 8th General Assembly is coming!

The International Council on English Braille (ICEB) will hold its 8th General Assembly from Saturday, 25 May 2024 to Thursday, 30 May 2024 at The Grand Millennium Hotel in Auckland New Zealand. The Assembly theme is "Two Centuries of Braille". Each member country of ICEB will send up to four delegates to the Assembly. Observers … Read more