1985
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
First interpreting course graduation – 1985
The Sign Language Interpreting course graduation ceremony September 1985, after 14 weeks training.
1987
article – Taonga source: Lesley Schischka
Skipper sails on silent seas – Deafness no bar to contest racing
One local mariner, 66 year old, Laurence Schischka and his family, enjoy and succeed in sailing in total silence. Schischka, his wife Sylvia and their sons are oblivious to the creaking of the spars, the whir of winches, the thundering of wind billowing sails, even the sloshing of waves against the hull.
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981
NZSL Stories
2009
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2009
2003
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL dictionary includes te reo Māori
Deaf New Zealanders now have access to te reo Māori vocabulary in the Online Dictionary of NZSL, compiled by Victoria’s Deaf Studies Research Unit.
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.
1990
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Coming Together: A video history of Wellington Deaf Society
A documentary about Wellington Deaf Society created after the 50th anniversary of WDS back in 1988. It includes historic shots of the old WDS at 280 Willis Street, Te Aro, as well as interviews with some of its members.
1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sash: Miss New Zealand Deaf 1990 – Winner
1967
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball ‘C’ Team, Winter 1967
NZSL Stories
2002
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Amateur footage: Inaugural Deaf Rugby World Championship
A snapshot of the inaugural 2002 Deaf Rugby World Championships held in Auckland, briefly touching on official matches, friendly games, and two social evenings at Auckland Deaf Club, with speeches galore!
NZSL Stories
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The modern NZSL dictionary is launched
The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
Help us name people in videos!
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Key Ring: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989
NZSL Stories
1988
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Presented to Owen Gibbons
NZSL Stories
2009
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Medal: 21st Summer Deaflympics, Taipei 2009
NZSL Stories
1959
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf Marching Girls
The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Work starts on the modern NZSL dictionary
A look behind the scenes at the team creating the modern NZSL dictionary including interviews with Kevin Stokes and Graeme Kennedy.
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Penelope Went and Pamela Croskery: Silver Medallists, Badminton Ladies Doubles – Los Angeles 1985
NZSL Stories
1960
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Formal opening of Parau, a beach property with a large brick hostel
Parents of deaf children raised thousands of pounds to buy a beach property at Parau where a large brick hostel was built. Groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend there.
NZSL Stories
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Demolition at van Asch, 1980
Footage of the demolition of the ‘Main Building’ of van Asch College, April 1980.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 2009
NZSL Stories
2001
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
Team Photo: Central Zone Rugby Union, 2001
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?
1948
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf, Winners Fairbrother Shield, 1948
Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
McHattie Challenge Trophy: Auckland Deaf Society Annual Ball
1984
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
St Dominic’s School for the Deaf 40th Anniversary Reunion
Footage from the 40th Anniversary of St Dominic’s school for the Deaf in Feilding held in June of 1984. This video shows a tour of the school grounds, welcoming speeches to attendees and the celebrations that follow over the weekend.
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1967 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
2010
Object – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Framed Memorabilia: Mary Johnson and her MNZM medal, awarded 2010
Everyone has a story to tell.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 2009
NZSL Stories
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.
2001
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Manawatu Deaf Netball: 25th Year Jubilee!
The Manawatu Deaf Netball Club celebrates 25 years of netballing adventures in June 2001 with stories, photos and even a cake!
1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Deaf Couple Marry
The bride and groom and three other members of the wedding party were deaf and 30 of the guests had also attended the School for Deaf at Titirangi, where the bridge and groom met. Mr Moore says that although a wedding of a deaf couple was not unusual in Auckland, he thinks it is the first time such a ceremony has taken place in Northland.
NZSL Stories
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 2009
NZSL Stories
Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?