
1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Wellington 1977
NZSL Stories
1988
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Here’s to Games
Three officials of the World Games for the Deaf pause to toast the success of the venture, as teams from more than 30 countries arrive in Christchurch.
NZSL Stories
1970
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Teaching the Deaf: St Dominic’s School for the Deaf in Feilding
What was school life was like for pupils who attended St Dominic’s School for the Deaf in Feilding? Footage includes hearing tests, classroom teaching, and celebrating a pupil’s 5th birthday with his classmates, before Mass with the Sisters.
1973
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Bringing Beauty to the Deaf
Make-up sessions for deaf women were set up, teaching how to use glossers, glissers, eyeliners, shaders, blushers and highlights.
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Split over how to teach deaf worries parent
Parents of deaf children would be saddened to hear that educationists oppose teaching deaf pupils the technique of "total communication", a parent has stated in a letter to the Post.
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
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.
NZSL Stories
1978
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Christchurch Basketball and Netball teams leave for Greymouth
The Christchurch Deaf Mens Basketball team travel to Greymouth, accompanied by the Deaf netball team.
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.
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
Help us name people in videos!
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1989
NZSL Stories
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Spotlight on Pasifika Deaf
Tangata Pasifika visits Kelston Deaf Education Centre and meets with a number of Pasifika Deaf students part of the school’s transition programme, interviewing Rosie Amituanai and her family.
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!

2000
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Signed Rugby Ball: Deaf Blacks, 2000

Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Basketball Club: Anton Cup – Most Improved Player of the Year
NZSL Stories
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?
2011
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Special votes win deaf MP a seat
Mojo Mathers' rise to Parliament has been labelled a success not just for the Green Party, but also for the New Zealand deaf community.

Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club: Best Player of the Year
NZSL Stories
1951
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Christchurch Deaf men with (and on) their bicycles
Black and white footage of a group of Christchurch Deaf men with their bicycles chatting to the camera excitedly before riding on the road, and signing at the same time!

Est. 1991
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
New Zealand Deaf Sports Association: Dunedin Superstrike, Most Outstanding Player
NZSL Stories

1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Napier 1985
NZSL Stories
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?
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.
NZSL Stories
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1990
NZSL Stories
2016
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2016 (Vol. 38, No. 4)
1969
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Runs Hard At Drop Of Hanky
Noel Coventry is a 22-year-old deaf athlete and the sole New Zealand representative going to the Deaf Olympics in Yugoslavia. Club officials would drop a handkerchief for him to sight as a sign that the starting gun had been fired.
NZSL Stories
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Northern Deaf XV vs Southern Deaf XV
Northern Deaf XV vs Southern Deaf XV held at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North on 31 March 1991.
Everyone has a story to tell.


Est. 1938
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society is the heart of the Wellington Deaf Community. Established on 30 July 1938, has moved a couple of times since its formation, from gatherings at people's places, leased halls and buildings, meet-ups at different pubs, to a co-owned building at 17 Bannister Ave, Johnsonville, Wellington – where it is now.
2016
article – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Today
Past pupils to reunite 50th Anniversary of the Onekawa School Deaf Unit
This weekend past and present pupils of Onekawa School will be coming together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Onekawa School Deaf Unit. From March 22 to March 25, ex-pupils and friends of the Onekawa deaf unit will meet in Hawke's Bay to remember their schooling experiences, share stories and visit the site of the old unit.
NZSL Stories
2004
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Susan Thomas (2004)
Susan Thomas talks about her many life experiences, love of sports, and what it was like to work on ‘News Review’ as a Deaf presenter in the late 1980s.
NZSL Stories
2002
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
43rd New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, 24-28 October 2002
NZSL Stories
2017
video – Taonga source: New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters
Te Tiriti o Waitangi in New Zealand Sign Language
This resource was created for the Treaty Times Thirty project, an initiative by the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters to translate New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti of Waitangi into 30 different languages.
Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?

















