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1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

The modern NZSL dictionary is launched

The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
Television New Zealand Archive
1998
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Netball Uniform: New Zealand Deaf Netball

Manawatu Deaf Society
2012
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Deaf Politician Mojo Mathers

Mojo Mathers is New Zealand's first Deaf Member of Parliament. She's using her position to advocate on disability, but she's battled her own prejudices.
Attitude Pictures
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.
Dulcie McKie
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
2000
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Ivan and Hilda Tamepo

In an open and touching interview, Ivan and Hilda tell their tales of growing up in New Zealand, and look back on photos from their deaf schooling years.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Patreena Bryan

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Anton Cup, Men’s Singles – Round Robin

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
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
2024
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Souvenir Coaster: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club’s 60th Anniversary

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
1954
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons

Socialising at Labour Weekend Wellington 1954

Athletes and spectators take a day out from the sporting competition to have fun in Wellington, 1954.
Owen Gibbons
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

10 Deaf Debutantes at a Ball

For the first time in the history of New Zealand, ten deaf debutantes were presented at a ball last night. The guests of honour were Mr D. Nathan, president of the Friends of the Deaf, Mr C. Allen, principal of the School for the Deaf at Titangi, and Mr W. Williams, president of the Auckland Adult Deaf Society. 
Auckland Deaf Society

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1951
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Indoor Basketball, First Grade, 1951

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: March 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1987
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Vintage Clock Tea Caddy Spoon: Manawatu Deaf Society 25th Anniversary

Manawatu Deaf Society
1951
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons

Day trip to Helensville Hot Pools

A group of Deaf people make a trip to the Helensville Hot Pools 1951.
Owen Gibbons

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

Yes, I do!  

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
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 2009
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Record Gurnard of Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
  • Richard Hay
1966
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Indoor Bowls Trophy To Auckland

The Auckland indoor bowls team which beat Northland for the 'Ranfurly Shield of indoor bowls'.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling Club: Overall High Series (Scratch)

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Team, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie

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2023
article – Taonga source: Woman’s Day

Erica Dawson’s sign language battle ‘We’re nothing to be afraid of’

"There's still a lot of barriers for deaf people in this country," says Erica, who lost her hearing when she was six months old. "We face all sorts of challenges that hearing people take for granted, such as finding interpreters to help us with schoolwork or meetings at work."
Woman’s Day
Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Swindale Rose Bowl: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship

Wellington Deaf Society
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.
Hilda Tamepo
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Patreena Bryan
  • Doug Croskery
  • Milton Reedy
1994
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Football Union, Winners of First Fifteen National Championship, April 1994

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: June 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 2)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

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.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
2010
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

The Berry Family: Part 1

We take you into the home of the Berrys and look at the lives of deaf New Zealanders.
Attitude Pictures
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1962

Auckland Deaf Society
1994
article – Taonga source: City Voice

In the mainstream

Theresa Newson and Maria Griffiths are completely deaf. They are also students at St Catherine's College, Kilbirnie. Their mothers looked at several schools in the Wellington region because they wanted their daughters to stay at home rather than go to Van Asch.
2010
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 17th National Deaf Rugby Championships, 2010

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

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