
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling Club: Overall High Series (Scratch)
NZSL Stories
1978
video – Taonga source: Pam Croskery
23rd Deaf Sports Convention: Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball
A packed YMCA hall with supporters watching the Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball game.
NZSL Stories
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Society Ball
Debutantes who were presented to the Mayor and Mayoress Mr and Mrs Ashby at the first ball organised this week by the Auckland Adult Deaf Society.
2023
article – Taonga source: Bay of Plenty Times
Deaf couple use sign language to organise building a new house
A new house build can be a challenging time for a young couple. But Gregory and Victoria Lessing are also deaf, and undertook a house build from scratch using NZSL.

1990
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Sash: Miss Deaf Manawatu 1990 Winner
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Future leaders of Deaf community share vision for NZ Sign Language
While NZSL Week runs from May 8-14, young leaders of the Deaf community are continuously advocating for their culture and language in the hearing world every other week of the year.

Est. 1993
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Bregmen Memorial Trophy: Eight Balls Championship
NZSL Stories

1991
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Souvenir Paperweight: Deaf View Conference, November 1991
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
NZ swimmer wins bronze
Swimmer Michael Lynch claimed New Zealand's second medla of the World Games for the Deaf when he took the bronze in the 100m butterfly.
NZSL Stories
2019
article – Taonga source: Stuff
New Zealand’s two deaf education centres to merge
New Zealand's two deaf education centres will become one next year as Kelston Deaf Education Centre and van Asch Deaf Education Centre merge from Term 3, 2020.
Help us name people in videos!
1990
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Kiwis vs Roos: Deaf Rugby League
Footage of rugby league training, haka practice, game planning, changing room preparations, and actual game footage of all three matches between the Deaf Kiwis and Australian teams, and even a visit to the hospital for an injured Kiwi player!
NZSL Stories

1965
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Pocket Patch: International Deaf Games, Washington 1965
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
TVNZ attacked for Games ‘disservice’
Organisers of the Sixteenth World Games for the Deaf are disappointed with the lack of television coverage. The chairman of the organising committee has accused Television New Zealand of doing a "disservice" to the New Zealand public by not providing more coverage of events.
NZSL Stories
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
New Zealanders compete in the cycling individual time trial event
New Zealanders, Hayden Costar and John Ooteman compete in the cycling individual time trial event. John won a gold medal in the 35km time trial with 51:10 minutes.
NZSL Stories

Est. 1999
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Peter Murray Cup: Deaf Women’s Basketball Open Championship
NZSL Stories
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?

1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games
NZSL Stories
1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Aussie deaf team here
Almost one hundred Australian athletes will compete in the trans-tasman deaf games to be held in Wellington this weekend.
NZSL Stories
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Acting experience leaves Deaf teen with another career option
New short film 'The Dining Table' is putting emerging Deaf talent from Aotearoa on to film festival screens. Lucy McKenzie-Bridle, 16, a Wellington Girls’ College student, makes her debut in The Dining Table, playing Ana, a Deaf teenager being raised in a hearing family.

Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Aggregate Points
NZSL Stories
2012
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2012 (Vol. 34, No. 4)
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Opening ceremony of the VX World Games for the Deaf
New Zealand sends 30 athletes to the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, with footage of the opening ceremony. The flagbearer for New Zealand was John Ooteman, with Susie Ovens carrying the kiwi mascot. The Gallaudet Dance Company also put on a performance. Footage shows a fly by with a sign saying ‘WELCOME WORLD GAMES FOR THE DEAF’.
NZSL Stories
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1998

Est. 1976
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: The Mansell Cup – Heaviest Snapper
NZSL Stories
1998
video – Taonga source: Inside Out
Deaf Blacks players to tour Wales selected at the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship
The deciding match of the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship played in Wellington over Easter weekend, and cementing a place in the New Zealand Deaf team that toured Wales in November 1998.
NZSL Stories
1993
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Fun and laughter in imaginative deaf, mime show
The show, from Manawatu Deaf Drama Group Madedra, is at the Globe Theatre on Friday and Saturday. It's an imaginative work created by the seven deaf actors in the group. Settings, props, costumes and make-up are all the work of other members of Madedra. 'City, Country and Sheep' will show the deaf actors' skills.
Everyone has a story to tell.
1991
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Signs break the ice
Lower Hutt's Myra Sullivan showing hearing people how to use sign language at a workshop for the deaf held at Wellington College of Education yesterday.

Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Club: T.G. Kane Cup – Women’s Double
NZSL Stories
2022
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Being Me: Jared Flitcroft
Jared Flitcroft is a filmmaker, a businessman, a family man, and he is Deaf. Despite being fluent in Te Reo and NZSL, Jared faced barriers in the largely hearing-led film industry where so much depended on him hearing and communicating with those around him. Undeterred, he began creating his own inclusive projects.
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Picnic at Waihora Park Domain
Participants in the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Deaf Societies have a full-day picnic at Waihora Park Domain, in Motukarara with plenty of races!
NZSL Stories
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.
Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?















