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1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Representing his country at deaf games

Paparangi's Kaz Witko will be representing New Zealand at the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles later this year. At 36, Kaz is no stranger to playing sport for his country.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
2019
article – Taonga source: Nelson Mail.

Alarm at cuts in support services for Nelson deaf community

Members of Nelson's deaf community say cutbacks in support services from Deaf Aotearoa have left them without access to crucial interpreting help, leaving some in vulnerable situations.
Nelson Mail.
1998
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Jersey: New Zealand Deaf Rugby Football Union, Wales Tour 1998

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
1984
article – Taonga source: Contact

Deaf friends

Deaf people in the Wellington region now have a new organisation, Friends of the Deaf, an umbrella group for all the deaf organisations in the area.

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Lawn Bowls, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Lip service

The producer of News Review explains the innovations and experimentations they have made in creating the programme, specially designed for the hard of hearing.
Wellington Deaf Society
1986
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Hostel News: van Asch College, 1986

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1982
article – Taonga source: Karori News

Deaf are helped

The new Wellington field office is playing its part in other developments of interest to deaf people, such as the spread of total communication and the growing importance of the Wellington Deaf Society.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: July 1983

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Work starts on the modern NZSL dictionary

A look behind the scenes at the team creating the modern NZSL dictionary including interviews with Kevin Stokes and Graeme Kennedy.
Television New Zealand Archive
Est. 1986
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

N.Z. Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Katu Cup: Outstanding Coach of the Tournament – Basketball

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

New Zealand Deaf Games in Wellington 1989

Coverage from the New Zealand Deaf Games in Wellington 1989, including athletics, long jump, discus, shot-put. The men’s basketball final saw Wellington competing against Christchurch, followed by a closing awards ceremony.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2009
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Medal: 21st Summer Deaflympics, Taipei 2009

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Michael Lynch
1979
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sport Convention 1979

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Milton Reedy
  • Colleen Norris

Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?

Yes, I do!  

1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

News Review now includes ‘hand sign language’

In 1987, News Review became the first New Zealand programme to incorporate NZSL in its production. The show ceased in 1991 and to date, there has not been a similar programme using Deaf presenters or NZSL in full.
Television New Zealand Archive
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Archbishop Opens Feilding School for Deaf Children

Erected at a cost of £68,000 and standing in 23 acres of farmland and gardens, St. Dominic's school for the Deaf, at Feilding, was blessed and officially opened this afternoon by Archbishop T.B. McKeefry, Metropolitan of New Zealand.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1992
video – Taonga source: Point of View Productions

‘See What I Mean’

'See What I Mean' presents two real-life stories: the story of a family who were all born Deaf, and a journalist who loses her hearing. It offers positive advice about hearing loss as well as celebrating the New Zealand Deaf community.
Point of View Productions
1975-76
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Trans Tasman Deaf Games, Australia 1975-76 – New Zealand Tour of Queensland

Auckland Deaf Society
2001
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Rugby Union, 2001

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?

Let us know! 

1980
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: St. Dominic’s O.B. Basketball Deaf Club, 1980

Manawatu Deaf Society
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Social and Sports Executive Committee, 1980-81

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1992
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Job Advertisement: Sign Language Interpreter

Applications are invited for the above position based in the Wellington Welfare Office for the Deaf. Interpreting work will include areas such as welfare, court, political meetings, medical, etc. Application giving full curriculum vitae and a VHS video tape of yourself of no less than 15 minutes presented in sign language.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Winners of Oxspring Shield (Athletics), 1982

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1960-70s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

Prefect Badge: School for Deaf, Kelston

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
2006
video – Taonga source: Dan Hanks

President gives tour of old Auckland Deaf Society building

Auckland Deaf Society President Kevin Pivac gives a tour of the Club’s building prior to its demolition and rebuild.
Dan Hanks
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
2014
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: 21st National Deaf Rugby Tournament, Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 2014

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

The inaugural Deaf Festival is hosted at Kelston Deaf Education Centre

Deaf children are taught drama skills by two Deaf visitors from the UK, in preparation for their show at the opening night of the inaugural Deaf Festival, hosted by Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
Television New Zealand Archive
1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Dramatic Club, 1977-78

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell

Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?

Let us know!