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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
  • Doug Croskery
  • Patreena Bryan
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Outfits for Deaf Games

World Deaf Games Chaperon Kath Smith – her husband is the manager and both are also deaf – adjusts swimmer Rossell MacKenzie's hat at a final outfitting in Auckland.
Pam Witko
1976
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Men’s Basketball Club, 1976

Manawatu Deaf Society
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

The experiences of Māori Deaf

This segment from Māori TV’s Te Hēteri focuses on the experiences of Māori Deaf, catching up with Patrick Thompson, Whiti Ronaki, and Hemi Hema.
Rūaumoko Komiti
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

News special for the deaf

New Zealand's first television programme for deaf people will be broadcast nationally from Christchurch next Saturday.
Wellington Deaf Society

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

2017
video – Taonga source: AUT Sign Language Section

Deaf Health Stories in NZSL

This project explores the experiences of Deaf New Zealanders in accessing healthcare and health information. 40 Deaf people from around New Zealand share their stories about barriers in this setting as well as strategies they have used in advocating for their right to access information, communication, and make informed decisions.
AUT Sign Language Section
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ

The Watercooler: Deaf Edition

Three Deaf panelists talk about their experiences in communication, schooling, and work. Facilitated by a Deaf MC with interpreted voice over these hilarious, heartwarming experiences give an insight into the Deaf community.
Merge NZ
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.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: October 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
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.

Help us name people in videos!

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Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Honour Board: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club – Founded 1960

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
1987
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club, 1987

Manawatu Deaf Society
1978
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Shared Benefits at Sumner

Sumner School for Deaf Children has taken an adventurous step by beginning a trial integration of a class of 'hearing' children into the school.
Wellington Deaf Society
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
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton

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

Yes, I do!  

1998
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Netball Team, Trans-Tasman Series, 1998

Manawatu Deaf Society
1960s
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

St Dominics Gala

St Dominics School for the Deaf hold their annual Gala Day – year unknown.
Manawatu Deaf Society
1980-90s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Key Ring: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
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
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Christchurch WGD Men’s Basketball Final

Crowd based footage of the Men’s Basketball final at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch, which USA won 127-56. This footage includes the warm up, edited highlights of the match, medal ceremony, team photos, and post-match socialising.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens

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2005
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2005

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1998
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

New Zealand’s first bilingual deaf unit

New Zealand's first official "bilingual" deaf unit attached to a primary school will be opened next week. The unit teaches both NZSL and English. Mr Buchanan, who will head the unit, is one of six deaf teachers teaching the deaf in New Zealand.
2020
article – Taonga source: Waikato Times

Masks causing issues for deaf Waikato man

Wearing a face mask is meant to help slow the spread of Covid-19. But for Tokoroa’s Roger Drower, who is partially deaf, they’ve left him feeling discriminated and isolated.
Waikato Times
2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 4)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Est. 1986
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

N.Z. Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Katu Cup: Outstanding Coach of the Tournament – Basketball

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

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

38th New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, Labour Weekend 1995

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1972
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Pennant: Bankstown Deaf Indoor Basketball Club, New Zealand Tour, 1972

Manawatu Deaf Society
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Collection of Doreen Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins

Pam Witko
Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Eight Pool Club: The 5s Tournament, Best Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Michelle Kruger
biography
Profile

Daniel ‘Danny’ Beech (Benemerenti Medal)

Daniel (Danny) Beech was born in Pahiatua in 1942 and attended St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children from the age of 5. Danny embarked on a life crammed with commitment and loyalty to the NZ Deaf community.

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