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1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Sign language boost

Research on the complex sign language that deaf New Zealanders have created could push education authorities to recognise the language's authenticity. It has taken an American linguist to document the distinctive language.
Wellington Deaf Society
1964
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1964

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Player of Championship – Darts

Manawatu Deaf Society
1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain

During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

First gold at games for New Zealand

Ooteman, 28, showed his superb form to score his third successive World Games for the Deaf gold medal in the prestigious time trial event.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Michael Lynch

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Marae for the deaf

A marae with a difference will open tomorrow in Kelston - it is for deaf children. Pupils of Kelston Deaf Education Centre will be able to learn more about Maori culture and marae protocol.
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society Social Club: Skeet Clay Shooting – Interclub

Manawatu Deaf Society
1986
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty

A ‘Mime and Masks’ show by Deaf Drama Group: A Visit to Kiwiland

A Deaf Drama group perfoms 'A Visit to Kiwiland' at Kelston with supporting acts by the Sign Singers. The evening fundraised $766.00 towards the purchase of a TTY and to sponsor two pupils from Kelston to attend the World Deaf Games in Christchurch 1989.
Ngaire Doherty
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2011
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Deaf Southern Star: 2011 (Vol. 33, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Deaf Bowls Auckland

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1990
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn/Winter 1990 (Vol. 24, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Tony Walton
1999
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
1996
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 1996

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Winter 1999

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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

Yes, I do!  

Early 1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Hat: Wellington Deaf Rugby League

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
2009
video – Taonga source: Sonia Pivac

Deaf protest against Advance Centre closure

Deaf protest against shutting down the Advance Centre, a tertiary support centre for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Auckland region.
Sonia Pivac
2024
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Souvenir Coaster: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club’s 60th Anniversary

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
2018
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand

Tiki Taane: No Place Like Home in NZSL

A sign-singing version of Bay of Plenty musician Tiki Taane's song ‘No Place Like Home' featured on television and online to mark NZSL Week 2018. It was made from flash mob events held in Wellington, Mount Maunganui and Christchurch in March. Participants in Mount Maunganui joined Tiki in person to sign-sing his latest song.
Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand
Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Drawn Fours

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell

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

Let us know! 

Deaf Picnics
Deaf Picnics
Deaf Picnics
Collection

Deaf Picnics

Everyone loves a good picnic, especially if you’re Deaf and the picnic is organised by your local Deaf Club! Collection of archival items related to Deaf picnics over the years, with videos, images, news snippets from newsletters and NZSL stories!
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Mansell
1990
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

Opening of the Bruce McHattie House

The ceremony and speeches to open McHattie House, used as the national office for NZAD.
Deaf Aotearoa
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Ladies Singles – Darts

Manawatu Deaf Society
2012
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Deaf Politician Mojo Mathers

Mojo Mathers is New Zealand's first Deaf Member of Parliament. She's using her position to advocate on disability, but she's battled her own prejudices.
Attitude Pictures
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ

After decades of crusading for NZ’s deaf community, Auckland woman honoured as ‘local hero’

The New Zealander of the Year will be announced tonight and as part of it, a number of local heroes have been recognised. One of them is Aucklander Victoria Lessing, who has been deaf her whole life and has spent 20 years raising the profile of NZSL. Two years ago, her passion developed into a company called Merge NZ, which she runs alongside her business partner, Jaime Brown.
Merge NZ

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Tony Walton
2014
video – Taonga source: Ministry of Education

Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice?

A video with six rangatahi communicating their stories of being young Turi Māori (Māori Deaf). The topics they discuss include recognition and acknowledgement of Deaf people in the past, Dame Whina Cooper and the impact of Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
Ministry of Education
1989
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Bronze Medallists from Auckland Deaf Society: New Zealand Deaf Women’s Basketball Team

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
1995-96
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Cricket Playing Shirt: NZ Deaf Cricket, World Cup Melbourne 1995-96

Manawatu Deaf Society
1982
article – Taonga source: Karori News

Deaf are helped

The new Wellington field office is playing its part in other developments of interest to deaf people, such as the spread of total communication and the growing importance of the Wellington Deaf Society.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt

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

Let us know!