Est. 1980s
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The Sign Singing Superstars
Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Engine issue delays the New Zealand team’s journey to Los Angeles
Narrated by Tony Walton, the New Zealand team’s plans are disrupted two hours into their flight with an engine problem. They are forced to return back to Auckland.
NZSL Stories
1990
video – Taonga source: Tony Clews
Australian Deaf Rugby League Team: New Zealand Tour
A homemade Sydney documentary on the Australian Deaf Rugby league team’s tour of New Zealand in 1990 from preparation, the tour, the tests, and triumphant return home.
NZSL Stories
1998
video – Taonga source: Kevin and Lynette Pivac
NZ Deaf Rugby Team in Wales
See Hear reports on the New Zealand Deaf Rugby team’s tour of the UK in 1998.
NZSL Stories
1961
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team for deaf games backed
The Auckland Deaf Society has reversed a previous decision and decided to support the team being sent to the Olympic Games for deaf people in Helsinki in August by the Wellington Deaf Sports Club.
1972
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
First Australia v New Zealand Deaf Men’s Basketball Match: January 1972
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981
NZSL Stories
1979
article – Taonga source: The Press
Mixed doubles badminton at the Trans-Tasman Deaf Games
Carolyn Hamlin keeps a keen eye on the opposition while Lindsay Bamford returns a shot during the mixed doubles Badminton competition of the triennial Trans-Tasman Deaf Games at Lincoln College.
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Early 1989: News Review of local and world events
News Review segment focusing on New Zealand and world news including the collapse of a New Zealand company ‘Equiticorp’, an accident at a nuclear reactor in USA, Prime Minister David Lange discussing record high unemployment figures, as well as an earthquake in Russia, among other updates.
1993
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
1st International Deaf Bowling Championship: January 1993, Runner-Up
1997
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Going in to bat for deaf cricketers
The New Zealand cricket team beat Australia at the Petone Recreation Ground. You would be forgiven for not knowing the match was on. Media coverage, or rather the lack of it, is a major problem for disabled sport.
1999
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Rodney’s Deaf Saturday
Rodney Roberts takes us through the typical Saturday of a Deaf Wellingtonian, with the Manawatu Deaf boys playing a game of rugby (and being well beaten 47 to 7), before taking us on a tour through a Wellington Deaf Society event to farewell an international interpreter.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Blacks’ first ever international match
Holmes’ Jo Malcolm catches up with the Deaf Blacks team at their training in Christchurch in preparation for the first of three upcoming test matches against the visiting Deaf South Africans - the first ever international match for both sides.
NZSL Stories
1982
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Sports convention for the deaf
Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing. That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year.
NZSL Stories
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1981
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
World Deaf Games lost to NZ – but not through Boks
New Zealand was passed over in its bid to host the World Deaf Games in 1985 – but not because of any Springbok tour snub, prominent local sports administrator, Mr Alan Barrett, believes.
NZSL Stories
1992
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of John Hunt
John Hunt, well-known for his involvement in the Deaf community – talks about establishing the NZ Deaf News, his journey towards becoming a life member of NZ Deaf Sports Association, having had a role in its founding; working as the first Deaf Field Officer for NZAD, and compiling ‘The Story of the Auckland Deaf Society Inc 1937-1987.
NZSL Stories
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
First Test: New Zealand Deaf vs Australia Deaf Netball
The grit! The determination! The hours of practice! Finally it’s game day for the first Deaf Netball New Zealand versus Australia in Manawatu. Watch highlights of the gameplay followed by expert post-match analysis and limbo shenanigans at MDS. Good times.
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1965
article – Taonga source: Mexico City Times
Participants In Olympics For Deaf Visit Mexico City
Seventeen New Zealanders, en route to the tenth annual International Games for the Deaf in Washington D.C., have been squeezing some Mexico City sightseeing into a brief lay-over during their trip. New Zealand's contingent, headed by Stewart Smith, includes a basketball team, wrestler, trackmen, table tennis players and a swimmer.
1974
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
Deaf News of New Zealand: 1974 (Vol. 11, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Opening ceremony of the VX World Games for the Deaf
New Zealand sends 30 athletes to the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, with footage of the opening ceremony. The flagbearer for New Zealand was John Ooteman, with Susie Ovens carrying the kiwi mascot. The Gallaudet Dance Company also put on a performance. Footage shows a fly by with a sign saying ‘WELCOME WORLD GAMES FOR THE DEAF’.
NZSL Stories
1953-85
Object – Taonga source: John McRae
N.Z. Kiwi Badge: Worn at multiple international Deaf events: CISS Congress 1953, Helsinki 1961, Washington 1965, Koln 1982 and Los Angeles 1985
NZSL Stories
1989-90
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
2017
Images – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf Rugby
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby v England Deaf Rugby, 2017
1995
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Plaque: New Zealand Tour 2005 – Australian Deaf Rugby vs Northern Zone Deaf Rugby
2005
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Womens Basketball Team, 20th Deaflympic Games, Melbourne 2005
NZSL Stories
2003
video – Taonga source: Barry Kinnaird
Memories of Barry Kinnaird
A Deaf bowling legend, Barry Kinnaird was well known for his indoor and outdoor bowling achievements, participating in many New Zealand opens, Deaf Conventions and international competitions.
NZSL Stories
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Deaf athletes see red
A Christchurch man has designed an international first for the World Games for the Deaf, designing a visual starter for athletic and swimming events.
NZSL Stories
