The Sign Singers feature on Stars on Sunday, performing 'Sailing'. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.” Filmed on March 3, 1982 at Highwic, Newmarket, Auckland. Four songs were filmed that day at the same time, 'Oh What a Beautiful Day', 'Harmony', 'Born Free' and 'Sailing'. This song screened on Stars on Sunday, TVNZ on May 9 1982. It was also repeated a year later on October 9, 1983.
Sign Singers: ‘Sailing’
1982 •
- Storytelling/Performances
- TV/Media
The Sign Singers perform the hit song 'Sailing' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in May 1982. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.”
Produced by:
Stars on Sunday, Television New Zealand
Original format:
VHS
Sponsored by:
Liz Grant
Reference number:
DM04-03-SP82
Copyright status: 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International LicenseIf you liked this, you might also like...
1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Harmony’
The Sign Singers perform 'Harmony' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983. They are introduced in sign language, in one of the first examples of a non-Deaf person signing on prime time television.
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Susie Ovens
A Tu Kokiri student interviews Susie Ovens on her involvement with the infamous Deaf Sign Singers group.
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: July 1983
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 2)
1980s
Collection
The Sign Singing Superstars
Collection of archival items related to the Sign Singing Superstars, with videos, images, articles and later, NZSL stories!
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
1984
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform on the ‘In South Tonight’ programme – Dunedin 1984
The Sign Singers tour the South Island for Deaf Awareness in 1984, and are invited to perform on ‘In South Tonight’ while in Dunedin.
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘I Hear Your Hand’
The Sign Singers perform the song 'I Hear Your Hand' for the Stars on Sunday programme.