1959
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf Marching Girls
The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.
1980
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Two founding members of Christchurch Deaf Club take a trip down memory lane
Cyril Pruden and Douglas Ashley, two founding members of the Christchurch Deaf Club, discuss the club’s history at its Armagh Street location.
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1965 (Vol. 3, No. 1)
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Demolition at van Asch, 1980
Footage of the demolition of the ‘Main Building’ of van Asch College, April 1980.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
1947
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand
National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – Student life
The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to film a typical day at the school.
1980
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Sumner School for the Deaf celebrates its centenary (100th)
Members of the Deaf community and their families attend the centenary celebrations at Sumner School for the Deaf.
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1967 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
2004
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Ava Buzzard (2004)
Ava Buzzard talks about commuting to school via her father’s motorbike, home signs, signing and oralism, and the next generation of signers.
1980
article – Taonga source: Education News
“Deaf kids aren’t dumb you know?” 100 Years of Education for the Deaf
Van Asch College, as it will now be known, is no longer a school exclusively for the deaf.
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: September 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 5)
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Ray and Polly Forman
Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.
1955
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand
National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – 75th Jubilee
The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to report on progress in the education of deaf children and to check out the school's 75th Jubilee celebrations.
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Jean Monk
Memories of Jean Monk (nee Robertson) who was a Sumner School for the Deaf student in the 1920s. Students weren’t allowed to sign but could “move their arms around a bit”.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1964 (Vol. 2, No. 1)
1973
article – Taonga source: NZPA
Teacher Of Deaf Dies, Aged 64
The principal of the School for the Deaf, Sumner, died in Christchurch today after a short illness. Herbert Pickering was 64 years old.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 3)
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Merv Forman and Nellie Benney
Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)
1984
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
You and Your Child – Deaf edition
'You and Your Child' programme focuses on Deaf children, education and language and interview some parents about their Deaf children.
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 4)
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)
1965-66
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1965-66 (Vol. 3, No. 2)
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of Verna McRae
Verna McRae is filmed at her home in Napier alongside her husband, John. Verna talks entertainingly about her life growing up on a Manawatu farm, going to Sumner School for the Deaf, work, travelling, and married life.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
1968
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf children enjoy a car rally
Children from Sumner School for the Deaf test their navigational abilities in a car rally at Sumner.
2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Memories of Doreen Forman
Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.
1999
video – Taonga source: Rae McKie
Deaf Marching Girls at the New Zealand National Marching Championships
The School for the Deaf Marching Girls are invited to perform their routine at the New Zealand National Marching Championships, 45 years after the group was set-up.
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Sumner School for the Deaf 100 Years Centenary celebration
Footage by Sue Penman, of members of the Deaf community and their families attending the centenary celebrations at Sumner School for the Deaf, and taking a tour of the school.
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee
The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1967 (Vol. 4, No. 3)
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of John McRae
John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia
Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa
This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)
1968
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
A Deaf Child in the Family
“A Deaf Child in the Family” is an award-winning film which shows authentic scenes from Deaf education centres at Kelston, St Dominics and Sumner, produced as a resource for families of deaf children.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
1998
video – Taonga source: Rae McKie
School for the Deaf Marching Girls reunited 45 years later!
The infamous Deaf Marching Girls reunite 45 years later, with a Friday spent practicing before showing their routine to supporters at van Asch on the Sunday.
1995
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Memories of Doreen Howell (Forman)
Memories of Doreen Howell, a life member of Wellington Deaf Society, was recorded on 9 July 1995 at Pam and Kaz Witko's place.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 3)
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Greg Pateman
Greg talks about his passion - Deaf sports, and why the Southern Deaf sport teams are superior to their Central and Northern counterparts!
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
1979
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Trans-Tasman Deaf Games: Opening Ceremony and sports
Coverage of the Trans-Tasman Deaf Games, Lincoln College, Christchurch, 10 January 1979, including opening ceremony and various sports.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1993
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of Kathleen French
Kathleen French was often called the ‘Auckland Deaf Grandmother’ due to her long and pioneering life in the Auckland Deaf Community. In this video Kathleen talks about her colourful life and talks us through some photos at the end.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
1978
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Shared Benefits at Sumner
Sumner School for Deaf Children has taken an adventurous step by beginning a trial integration of a class of 'hearing' children into the school.
1988
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
van Asch students learn street theatre skills from Mr Moon
After Mr Moon has been teaching Van Asch Deaf Education Centre Deaf students street theatre skills, they watch a performance from the Montreal Street Theatre at the New Zealand Festival in Wellington, in preparation for staging their own live performance.
2017
article – Taonga source: The Press.
Deaf community was home for Margaret Coutts
An obituary on Margaret Coutts who was "the mother of deaf sports", an active leader and strong positive role-model to younger members of the Deaf community. She was the first female president of the Christchurch Deaf Club, and was awarded a NZ Commemoration Medal for her contributions in 1990.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 7, No. 1)
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of John Peterson
Born in Mumbai, India where his parents ran a tea farm, John Peterson shares his life story at his home in the Eddowes Pensioner Village, at Balmoral, next to Auckland Deaf Society. Filmed on 3 August 2003.