1973
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Telephones For The Deaf Are Opening Up A New World Of Communication
A revolutionary device which opens up a whole new world for those born deaf is now being demonstrated in Wellington. New Zealand is the only second country in the world to adopt the system so far.

Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Berretti Challenge Cup: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
An ear for the deaf
The 600 people in Wellington at last have their own sign interpreter. Rachel Locker was appointed as sign language interpreter for the deaf on Monday.
NZSL Stories

Est. 1977
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Gordon Cup: Most Improved Basketball Player

1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sash: Miss New Zealand Deaf 1990 – Winner
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

1980-90s
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
8 Ball Pool Trophy: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories

1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, Teams ‘A’ and ‘B’, 1982
NZSL Stories
1982
article – Taonga source: AID Magazine
Deaf field officers – their disability is their qualification
In the past 18 months, the NZAD has opened field offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, and hopes soon to establish two more in Nelson and Dunedin.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf angry at threat facing News Review
Deaf people are angered and disappointed by the threat facing the TV show News Review.

Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Most Attendance
NZSL Stories
Help us name people in videos!


Est. 1944
Collection
St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children
We are all aware of the immense value St Dominic's has contributed to the New Zealand Deaf education sector. St Dominic’s School for the Deaf opened in 1944 to provide a Catholic based education to deaf children, and ran for 45 years before closing in May 1989.
1994
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Celebrations at the St Dominic’s Golden Jubilee
Footage from the 50th Jubilee of St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with over 200 people attending a weekend of festivities at the Fielding Racecourse during the Anzac Weekend of April 1995.

Est. 2006
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Men’s Pairs – Darts
1992
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington
Dictionary for the language of the deaf
Nearly quarter of a million dollars in sponsorship has been raised for the NZSL dictionary, a joint effort by the University and the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
What it’s like doing the Oxfam Trailwalker when you’re Deaf
The first time Monica Leach took part in the Oxfam Trailerwalker was with a group of hearing friends. Leach, who is Deaf and uses NZSL, found it difficult to communicate with the team. But last weekend, her team Deaf Power Walk completed it in Taranaki as an all-Deaf team.
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Canterbury beats Wellington in a game of rugby league
A game of rugby league between the Canterbury and Wellington boys in 1991. The game was played at Hampshire Park, Christchurch on 11 May 1991. Canterbury beat Central, 42-26, followed by a post-match social and further celebrations at Christchurch Deaf Society.
NZSL Stories
2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Signing avatar could help Deaf Kiwis order at fast food drive-throughs
Arash Tayebi’s idea to develop sign language avatar technology is personal. And while Kara Technologies is still in the pilot stage, Tayebi hopes the technology will become easier to access as 24/7 teachers or in emergencies.
1999
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
‘Nothing to See’ – David Molloy
David Molloy, a Deaf priest based in Palmerston North, talks about his life in the church and his second collection of poems in ‘Nothing to See’, published in 1997.

1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Dramatic Club, 1980-81
NZSL Stories
2010
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2010 (Vol. 32, No. 3)
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?

1976
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Banner: Taranaki Deaf Club Basketball Team – Auckland 1976
NZSL Stories

1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Pennant: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, January 1989
NZSL Stories

Est. 2008
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Deaf Club, Central Zone: 8 Ball Pool
NZSL Stories
2010
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard
Sign language ‘necessity not choice’
Six months after deaf and hearing-impaired children in the region lost their deaf tutor, problems with the teaching of NZSL continue. "NZSL is not a choice, it's a necessity and we have to give these kids a voice," mother Charmaine Strickland said.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Interpreters spent year on training
Nearly 90 Christchurch people have spent the last year training to be interpreters at the World Games for the Deaf, with about 50 deaf people teaching the volunteers their language.
NZSL Stories
Everyone has a story to tell.
2000
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
Inside Out: The Art of Signing
Inside Out produces a programme about New Zealand Sign Language, its value to the Deaf community as well as its artistic forms.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2009

Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year
1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A Deafening Silence
A ‘Frontline’ documentary that touches upon an on-going topic - Deaf Education - in the Deaf community, not only in New Zealand but worldwide as well. In 2019, the message remains as familiar as it was twenty-five years ago.

1998
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Group Photo: Manawatu Deaf Women’s Group, 30 Years Celebration, 1998
Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?









