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1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Hunt
  • Richard Hay
1984
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

PM hints at climbing rules

The Government would have to consider regulations covering climbing if the mountaineering community makes an issue out of his action in evacuating seven Japanese climbers from Mt Cook, the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, indicated today.
Wellington Deaf Society
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
New Zealand Deaf Games
New Zealand Deaf Games
New Zealand Deaf Games
Est. 1949
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

New Zealand Deaf Games

The New Zealand Deaf Games (formerly the New Zealand Deaf Societies Convention until 1970, when it began to be called the New Zealand Convention of the Deaf, then the New Zealand Games for the Deaf, before changing once again in 2003 to the New Zealand Deaf Games). Traditionally held in October during Labour Weekend since 1949, the Games was a great opportunity for generations of Deaf New Zealanders to meet, socialise, exchange information and to keep NZSL alive. In 2017, Deaf Sports New Zealand held a SGM to vote on changes to its constitution and bylaws. Since then, there has not been a NZDG.
1991
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Social Netball Club, 1991

Manawatu Deaf Society

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Sign of the times

Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Pam and Kaz take life in their stride

Says Pam: “I think for me I live in two worlds and have two languages, the deaf language and the hearing language. I speak the deaf language because I was brought up with it.”
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Autumn 1997

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Autumn 1998

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2004
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Shaun Fahey

Shaun Fahey, a Deaf artist, talks about illustrating signs for the NZSL Dictionary, and what life was like for a young Shaun growing up in Christchurch under the rule of oralism.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

1972
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Ladies’ ADS Indoor Basketball Team, 1972

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Doug Croskery
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club, Easter 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
2011
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 18th National Deaf Rugby Inter-Zonal Championships, 2011

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1990
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Team wins at contest just by taking part

The four skipped by Margaret Coutts lost both matches at the national women's bowls tournament in Wellington yesterday. But they didn't mind.
1997
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald

Deaf woman goes to head of class

Struggles in her own schooling as she grew up made profoundly deaf Auckland woman Sarah Cameron want to be a teacher. Her ambition came true yesterday when she became the first deaf person to graduate with a mainstream secondary teacher's diploma.

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

Yes, I do!  

1987
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club, 1987

Manawatu Deaf Society
1990
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Kiwis vs Roos: Deaf Rugby League

Footage of rugby league training, haka practice, game planning, changing room preparations, and actual game footage of all three matches between the Deaf Kiwis and Australian teams, and even a visit to the hospital for an injured Kiwi player!
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1992
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Job Advertisement: Sign Language Interpreter

Applications are invited for the above position based in the Wellington Welfare Office for the Deaf. Interpreting work will include areas such as welfare, court, political meetings, medical, etc. Application giving full curriculum vitae and a VHS video tape of yourself of no less than 15 minutes presented in sign language.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Trophy, Indoor Basketball 1977

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Sharron Attwood
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: September 1992

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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

Let us know! 

1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Combined Sports Representatives, 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2016
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Deaf Southern Star: 2016 (Vol. 38, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1999
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Manawatu Deaf Society’s netball team talk about logistics…

Members of the Manawatu Deaf Society’s netball team discuss the running of the team including fundraising and other logistics. This video is a good example of the natural language used during meetings in 1999 and is presented here unedited for this purpose.
Dorothy Jones
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

‘Spot On’ visits a Deaf basketball training session

The educational TV series ‘Spot On’, visits a Deaf basketball training session to catch up with Royce Flynn and Megan Mansfield, and understand how the sport is played by Deaf athletes, and controlled by a Deaf referee.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Janet Watt
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
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: March 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Jeff Went
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Rugby League: Most Improved Player

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1989
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch

Opening ceremony and events at the 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
2004
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Sign of the times

Sign language interpreter Rosie Henley translates for the deaf beside Speaker of the House Jonathon Hunt as MPs debate legislation making New Zealand sign language an official language.

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

Let us know!