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1994
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Pilgrimage to the original St Dominic’s Wellington school

A group of past pupils visit the original Dover Street location in Island Bay, Wellington, as part of the Golden Jubilee of the founding of St Dominic’s School for the Deaf.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1972
video – Taonga source: Pam and Doug Croskery

Auckland Deaf Men’s Basketball team training

On Auckland’s West Coast, Auckland Deaf basketball men train for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington 1972.
Pam and Doug Croskery
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1984
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Winter 1984 (Vol. 7, No. 2)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Netball Uniform: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team: XVI World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Milton Reedy
  • Janet Watt
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Michael Lynch

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
2009
video – Taonga source: Asia Downunder

Sign of the times

We meet Kaori Kobayashi, the first Asian Deaf Teacher in New Zealand.
Asia Downunder
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • John Schischka
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Richard Hay
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Est. 1880
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)

van Asch Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; formerly Sumner School for the Deaf then van Asch School for the Deaf). The school has a long and illustrious history, with its services covering a huge geographical spread. Established in 1880, van Asch was the oldest special school establishment in New Zealand and also believed to be the oldest fully government funded residential school in the world. van Asch celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2005. It merged with Kelston Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.

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1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

‘News Review’ puts a spotlight on the New Zealand Deaf Games in Christchurch over the weekend of 23 – 26 October 1987

The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf is featured on News Review, covering athletics, basketball, table tennis, lawn bowls and netball. The question, ‘Why have a Deaf Games?’ is put forward to competitors and officials! Footage also features the much appreciated ‘Canterbury Duck’ that Deaf kids had requested more of!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1993
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Hilda Tamepo celebrates her 50th at ADS!

Hilda Tamepo celebrates her 50th birthday at the Auckland Deaf Society clubrooms. The joyous event includes speeches, dancing, and lots of food!
Hilda Tamepo
1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

Special service as deaf marry

Two totally deaf people were married in the Ruawai Methodist Church on Saturday in a service specially modified for the deaf. Mr Moore had spent many hours modifying the service and consulting with the principal of the School for the Deaf, Dr D. Dale.
Colleen Norris
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Patreena Bryan
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Athletics Pennant: 24th N.Z Deaf Sports Convention, Host Christchurch 1979

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

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

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2008
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Nirvana teaching Sign Language

She’s a great mum and teacher and she’s deaf. Nirvana Graham is creating history by teaching our third official language in mainstream school.
Attitude Pictures
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Penelope Went and Pamela Croskery: Silver Medallists, Badminton Ladies Doubles – Los Angeles 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Pam Croskery
Est. 1962
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre: Doris Jones Memorial Rose Bowl

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1975
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

The Auckland Deaf Centre

A glimpse into the Auckland Deaf Centre, showing Deaf people playing pool, badminton, reading, having coffee and talking in sign language.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
2007
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Framed Photo: Rae McKie, Winner of Women’s Singles, Deaf Bowls Championship, Wales 2007

Auckland Deaf Society

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1951
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Basketball Singlet: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Indoor Basketball, 1951

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1985
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Pennant: Central Districts Deaf Sports, Wellington 1985

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1983
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie

Bruce McHattie encourages Deaf to donate at the Auckland Telethon

Bruce McHattie from Auckland Deaf Society participates in the 1983 Telethon in Auckland, aimed at fundraising for a specific cause. Deaf people could be involved too, and make donations by calling a specific number via their TTY and state their donation.
Dulcie McKie
1986
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty

A ‘Mime and Masks’ show by Deaf Drama Group: A Visit to Kiwiland

A Deaf Drama group perfoms 'A Visit to Kiwiland' at Kelston with supporting acts by the Sign Singers. The evening fundraised $766.00 towards the purchase of a TTY and to sponsor two pupils from Kelston to attend the World Deaf Games in Christchurch 1989.
Ngaire Doherty
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
2007
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Deaf people being left on the outer

A shortage of sign language interpreters means as many as 7700 deaf people are struggling to access services in their communities.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton

Everyone has a story to tell.

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1946
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet

Making the Deaf Hear and the Dumb Speak: The Splendid Work of St. Dominic’s School, Wellington.

Two years ago, the New Zealand Dominicians opened a Catholic school for deaf children at 15 Dover Street, Island Bay, Wellington. The article records the impressions of a Wellington journalist who visited the school recently.
Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Drawn Pairs

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!

Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.
Wellington Deaf Society
1998
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Netball Team, 1998

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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.
Hilda Tamepo

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