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1965
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Washington Xth International Silent Games

The New Zealand team attending the 10th World Deaf Games in Washington, USA, 1965.
Auckland Deaf Society
2000
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

Deaf Association of New Zealand 2000

A look at the work of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf, presented by Judy Bailey.
Deaf Aotearoa
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Forman

Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.
Pam Witko
1994
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

250 attend school’s jubilee celebrations

Three first-year pupils and three sets of twins numbered among the 250 or so former pupils, teachers, family and friends who attended the St Dominics School for the Deaf 50th jubilee over Anzac Weekend.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1981
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Deaf worker soon calms the nerves

Wellington has a new worker among the deaf. Pat Dugdale, profoundly deaf, has been made field officer by the New Zealand Association of the Deaf. Her job is to provide personal social service help and to liaise with organisations, welfare agencies, commercial institutions and lawyers on behalf of the deaf.
NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Tony Walton

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

2016
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Deaf Southern Star: 2016 (Vol. 38, No. 2)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1956-57
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Kelston School for Deaf: Clearing of the Ground and Construction

Students from the Titirangi School for the Deaf visit the construction site of the future Kelston School for the Deaf.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1985
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Netball Club, 1985

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Action in the World Games for the Deaf basketball tournament at Cowles Stadium

New Zealand was beaten by Australia in the basketball at Cowles Stadium today, 76-63. The New Zealand captain, Tony McGill, put the first points on the board with an impressive three pointer but the Kiwis could not keep the pressure on.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
1985
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, Los Angeles 1985

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Susie Ovens

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

1987
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

An actor learns about being deaf

Children Of A Lesser God, a play that tackles the communication problems faced by deaf people, opens at Circa tomorrow night. Suzanne Pollard talks to two of the cast about their roles.
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Winners of Oxspring Shield (Athletics), 1981

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
1988
video – Taonga source: Tony Clews

First Deaf rugby league game between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney

Historic first rugby league game between New Zealand and Australia, which took place in Sydney 1988 (Henson Park, Newton). Australia won 16–6.
Tony Clews
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
2013
article – Taonga source: Kōkiri Magazine

Māori Deaf Gather

Last year on Queen’s Birthday weekend, Hamilton man Hemi Hema was honoured for his tireless work advocating for opportunities for Māori Deaf. This Queen’s Birthday weekend he was showing that his great work continues – facilitating a hui for Māori Deaf from throughout Aotearoa aimed at focusing on new beginnings for their community.
Kōkiri Magazine
1988
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1988

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris

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

Yes, I do!  

Est. 1959
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Graded Pairs

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jeff Went
  • John Mansell
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Ruth Jessep
1992
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Group, 1992

Manawatu Deaf Society
Early 1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Hat: Wellington Deaf Rugby League

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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

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1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

Pat’s deafness helps others

The new field officer for the deaf, Pat says “…deaf people are not morons.”
NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Tony Walton
Early 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Clubroom Mural: Painted by Shaun Fahey

Wellington Deaf Society
1965
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Napier to have Silent Olympic Representatives

Two Napier indoor basketball players have been selected for the Silent Olympics at Washington D.C. in June 1965. The two deaf players are Mervyn and Ray Foreman. Both brothers, who have played basketball since 1949, have represented Hawkes Bay in inter-provincial play. In 1951, the brothers moved to Auckland, where they played for the Deaf Demons and also represented Auckland. Their selection for the New Zealand team for the Silent Olympics was announced this week.
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
Est. 1986
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Sports Indoor Bowls Club: Ladies Singles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1962

Auckland Deaf Society

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1999
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Framed Pocket Patch: New Zealand, 3rd International Deaf Lawn Bowls Championships – Durban, South Africa

Auckland Deaf Society
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Julie Bullivant

Julie Bullivant tells her story about what it was like growing up deaf and attending van Asch, a deaf boarding school.
AUT Visual Languages Section
1978
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

New Zealand Catholic Deaf Newsletter: December 1978 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2007
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 14th National Deaf Inter-Zonal Championship Winners, 2007

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

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

Let us know!