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1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Representing his country at deaf games

Paparangi's Kaz Witko will be representing New Zealand at the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles later this year. At 36, Kaz is no stranger to playing sport for his country.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
2009
video – Taonga source: Asia Downunder

Sign of the times

We meet Kaori Kobayashi, the first Asian Deaf Teacher in New Zealand.
Asia Downunder
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2000
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Bronze Medal: Men’s Ten Pin Bowling, NZ Games for the Deaf, Palmerston North 2000

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
1990
video – Taonga source: Jeff Went

Prizegiving evening: 34th NZ Games for the Deaf (Auckland)

The 34th New Zealand Games for the Deaf, hosted by Auckland, concludes with a prizegiving and social evening at Auckland Deaf Society 1990.
Jeff Went
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1984-85
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Mini Booklet: NZ and USA sign language alphabet, in preparation for the upcoming XV World Deaf Games 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1986
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Te Aro Deaf students featured in ‘The Video Dispatch’

Heather Campbell, a Teacher of the Deaf, talks about the need for Deaf children and their families to have access to language early in life. This episode screened during Deaf Awareness Week in 1986.
Television New Zealand Archive
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Letter to the Editor: Deaf not dumb

Remember – deaf not dumb! That's the message Sarah Cameron, a fifth former, sends to the Editor of The Evening Post. 
2010
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

The Art of Abbie Twiss

Abbie Twiss, a deaf artist talks about expressing her ideas, thoughts and emotions. She says without art, the world would be a dark and very depressing place.
Attitude Pictures
1992
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling, October 1992

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie

Help us name people in videos!

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1979
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Wooden Plaque: Central Districts Deaf Sports Versus Australia, Wellington 1985

Manawatu Deaf Society
Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Fishing Trophy: Lake Ferry

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Overcoming the invisible handicap

It takes only a few minutes in the company of Pat Dugdale to realise that she has a mischievous sense of fun. It’s almost as if she enjoys shocking people and then watching their reaction.
Wellington Deaf Society
1976
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Pennant: Manawatu Deaf Men’s Basketball Assn, Memento of N.S.W Tour 1976

Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Yes, I do!  

1984
article – Taonga source: Southern News

Helping deaf to communicate

There is still much lack of understanding among the general public about the needs of deaf people, says Pat Dugdale, field officer in Wellington for the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
2003
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Deaf Indoor Netball Team, Northern A, 2003

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1989
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch College, 1989

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1986
article – Taonga source: Zealandia

A capital reception

An interpreter passes on the Pope's message to the deaf during the outdoor Mass at Athletic Park.
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Women’s Club gathering at Armagh Street

A day inside for the Christchurch Deaf Women's Club at Armagh Street, with cakes, jewellery and clothes for sale!
Deaf Society of Canterbury

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1992
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington

Jubilee Ball: Celebrating 50 Years of Deaf Schools in Auckland

Nearly 500 alumni and members of the Deaf community, well presented with dinner suits, bow ties, evening gowns, hairdos and the works enjoy an evening at the Avondale Racecourse.
Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
Est. 2002
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Golf Club: Shit Stirrer

Manawatu Deaf Society
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
  • Michael Lynch
  • Jeff Went
1994
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Football Union, Winners of First Fifteen National Championship, April 1994

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Travelling with sign language

Last week we met the Fergusons, a family of five who communicate using NZSL. Here, we join the Fergusons on their trip of a lifetime attending the World Federation of the Deaf Congress — in Paris.
Attitude Pictures

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1980
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: St. Dominic’s O.B. Basketball Deaf Club, 1980

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Plastic Drinking Cup: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1999
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 1999

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1970
article – Taonga source: Evening Standard

Deaf Convention Sports Results

Results from the New Zealand Deaf Convention's sports being held in Palmerston North during Labour Weekend.
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
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.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

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