The Deaf Education Charitable Trust (DEANZ) was formed by the New Zealand Federation for Deaf Children in May 2001.

Many parents and families of deaf and hearing impaired learners, deaf people, the deaf education centres, Specialist Education Services and the Ministry of Education worked very hard to create a body that can bring everyone together.

There are 7 DEANZ Trust members. They were nominated by all representative groups: Parents Federation, Deaf Association, Professional organisations (NZEI, PPTA, Advisers Assn, Teacher of Deaf Assn).

The representative groups were asked to nominate twice as many members as were selected. From the large number of suitable nominees, the Small Working Party selected a team that it viewed as balanced, in terms of equity and skills.