I'm interested in...
reset filter
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

A Day in the Life of Rūaumoko Marae

Insight into the preparations that go into a powhiri onto Rūaumoko Marae, and rare footage of the powhiri itself, followed by an interview with Patrick Thompson.
Rūaumoko Komiti
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Key Ring: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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.
Pam Witko
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!
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1977
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

Christchurch Women Group: Progressive Dinner

The Christchurch Deaf Women’s Group hosts a progressive dinner. Three courses at three different locations all in one night in 1977!
Sue Penman

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

1989
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Deafblind Wrestler competes at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch

Pier Morten, a Deafblind wrestler from Canada, participates in the 1989 World Games for the Deaf, in Christchurch.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
1965
article – Taonga source: The Daily Telegraph

Home – 10-Gallon Hats and All

The New Zealand indoor basketball team at the Deaf Olympics in Washington recently did not win a game. Yet to Napier's Forman brothers, Mervyn and Ray, the experience was one never to be forgotten.
2023
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald.

Whaikaha the first ministry with a name in all of NZ’s official languages

Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People has become the first and only government ministry with a name in all three of New Zealand’s official languages.
NZ Herald.
2003
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 2003

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1965
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Basketball Singlet: New Zealand Deaf Men’s Indoor Basketball, 10th International Games for the Deaf, Washington D.C.

Manawatu Deaf Society

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

1992
article – Taonga source: The Press

College in crisis

Van Asch College may be forced to cut staffing levels because of funding cuts of almost 50 per cent. The chairman of the Van Asch College board, Mr Alan Bensley, cofnirmed this last night but no "final" decisions had been made.
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

More than 1300 involved

About 100 interpreters have been trained in Christchurch over the last year. The classes were organised by the hearing people but the deaf were the teachers. It is only the second time that New Zealand sign language has been taught in this country.
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

History through Young Eyes: Interview with Ngaire Doherty

Saynab Muse, a Tu Kokiri student interviews Ngaire Doherty, ex-President of Auckland Deaf Society at the Balmoral clubroom.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Richard Hay
Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society McRae Cup: The All Round Indoor Sports

Auckland Deaf Society
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Winter 1998

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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

Yes, I do!  

Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club: Peter Murray Cup – Most Improved Woman Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shirley Bregmen
biography
Profile

Jennifer Brain (QSM)

Jennifer received the Queens Service Medal in 2007 for services to the New Zealand Deaf Community. She was well known for her leadership with the New Zealand Association for the Deaf. Jennifer became the first Deaf Leadership Tutor promoting community and Deaf youth leadership, before becoming the first Deaf Chief Executive Officer in 1999. Through her work, Jennifer was ahead of her time with the strategic planning of many Deaf community projects including Deaf awareness and Deaf leadership.
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Desperate need in N.Z. for interpreters

Qualified interpreters are desperately needed to cope with the needs of deaf people in New Zealand.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Latvian Love

Kiwi Shaun Ruffell and Latvian Indrai Ozolinai, both Deaf, meet again three years after meeting at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf (in Christchurch), during which time they have kept in touch through letters.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went

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

Let us know! 

2014
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian

A modern tale of two deaf children

Deaf pupil Rahui Lee, 11, leads the year 7 and 8 class in a sign language game of mastermind, in which pupils have to guess a mystery four-digit number by signing.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Uniform Pocket Patch: New Zealand Deaf Sport Team, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

First Test: New Zealand Deaf vs Australia Deaf Netball

The grit! The determination! The hours of practice! Finally it’s game day for the first Deaf Netball New Zealand versus Australia in Manawatu. Watch highlights of the gameplay followed by expert post-match analysis and limbo shenanigans at MDS. Good times.
Dorothy Jones
1984
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1984

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Susie Ovens
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union: Player of the Year

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Mixed Doubles – 8 Ball Pool

Manawatu Deaf Society
1986
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1985-1986

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
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.
New Zealand Deaf Games
New Zealand Deaf Games
New Zealand Deaf Games
Est. 1949
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

New Zealand Deaf Games

The New Zealand Deaf Games (formerly the New Zealand Deaf Societies Convention until 1970, when it began to be called the New Zealand Convention of the Deaf, then the New Zealand Games for the Deaf, before changing once again in 2003 to the New Zealand Deaf Games). Traditionally held in October during Labour Weekend since 1949, the Games was a great opportunity for generations of Deaf New Zealanders to meet, socialise, exchange information and to keep NZSL alive. In 2017, Deaf Sports New Zealand held a SGM to vote on changes to its constitution and bylaws. Since then, there has not been a NZDG.
1960
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1960

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

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

Let us know!