1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
TVNZ attacked for Games ‘disservice’
Organisers of the Sixteenth World Games for the Deaf are disappointed with the lack of television coverage. The chairman of the organising committee has accused Television New Zealand of doing a "disservice" to the New Zealand public by not providing more coverage of events.
NZSL Stories
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Patreena Bryan
Patreena Bryan (also known as Pat, with her sign name being TAP – a play on her name) is filmed at AUT talking to NZSL interpreting students. Married with two sons, Patreena talks about her schooling days at Titirangi and her involvement with the Deaf community.
NZSL Stories
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Patrick Thompson discusses upcoming wānanga for Māori Deaf
Patrick Thompson is interviewed on the ‘Marae’ programme, a bilingual Māori and English language current affairs show, about setting up a wānanga to enable Māori Deaf to access te reo Maori and Tikanga Maori.
1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology
An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 1991
NZSL Stories
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Handheld footage of the closing ceremony of the 16th World Games for the Deaf
Handheld footage from the stadium shows the closing ceremony of the 16th World Games for the Deaf held in Christchurch. Athletes parade into the stadium to witness closing speeches with their family and fans looking on.
NZSL Stories

Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Badminton: Club Tournament
NZSL Stories
2019
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf children need better access to New Zealand Sign Language to close the education gap
Lack of access to interpreters means deaf children are missing out on education. There are about 3600 children in the deaf education system, of which about 96 per cent attend mainstream schools. There are just three NZSL educational interpreters working full time with students, meaning most children were missing out.


Est. 1922
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf Society of Canterbury
The Deaf Society of Canterbury is New Zealand’s oldest Deaf Club, established in the mid 1920s. It has provided the inspiration for the development of other clubs around the country, including Auckland. Dennis Tod and Sue Penman have done a great job of rounding up some of the films from the Canterbury Deaf community.
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
Interview: Jamie Brown from Merge NZ talks about the impacts and benefits of learning NZSL
Jaime Brown, Merge NZ Co-Director, learned NZSL and didn't just find a language, but a community and a passion. Seecus talks to Jaime about the impacts NZSL has had for her and the benefits of learning sign language.
Help us name people in videos!
1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: September 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Italians win volleyball
The New Zealand volleyball team was missing its top five players when it came up against the Italians in its first match in the World Games for the Deaf. New Zealand went down to the more experienced Italians, 3-0, failing to score any points.
NZSL Stories

1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club 1980
NZSL Stories
1992
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times
Ivan’s story perfectly told
A review of 'The Remand of Ivan Curry', a docudrama about the deaf man held on remand for 2 years accused of murdering his nephew.
1960s
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Picnic at Orewa Beach
Deaf people get together at John and Verna McRae’s place before heading to Orewa, Auckland for the Annual ADS Picnic.
NZSL Stories
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?
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.
2014
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2014 (Vol. 36, No. 4)
1987
article – Taonga source: The Press
All the world is a stage – for the deaf, too
“Speaking hands, hearing eyes” is the title of an Australian folk song about the deaf. It is also the dictum by which Anne Tweedie lives and why she has started a Theatre for the Deaf.
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform Silent Night
The Sign Singers perform the famous carol 'Silent Night' for the Stars on Sunday programme.
NZSL Stories
1990
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Welcome 1990 Haere Mai!
The Auckland Sign Singers were invited to perform with others in a three-hour entertainment special to celebrate 1990 which was broadcast live from Bastion Point on TV One at 7.30pm.
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?
1974
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf people can now use the telephone
So far, four teleprinter phonetype telephones have been installed in the homes of totally deaf people in the Wellington area. They can be hired from the Wellington branch of the New Zealand deaf communications network.
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Penny…and her thoughts
Penny Went collected a silver medal at the last World Games for the Deaf – now she is home and aiming for gold.
NZSL Stories

2005
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaflympics Team, 20th Deaflympic Games, Melbourne 2005
NZSL Stories

1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Netball Uniform: Manawatu Deaf Society
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF NEW INSTITUTION: PROVISION FOR 54 CHILDREN
Deaf children from all parts of New Zealand are gradually overcoming their affliction at St. Dominic's School for the Deaf, situated at Aorangi, near Feilding.
Everyone has a story to tell.

1986
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Men’s Basketball, 1986
NZSL Stories
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Badminton singles at WGD 1985: Post-game analysis
Watch the New Zealanders on court at the World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles! Doug Croskery, Jonathan Anton and Janet Watts each give a post-game commentary on the outcome of badminton matches played by Carolyn Hamlin, Lindsay Bamford and Penny Went.
NZSL Stories
2011
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Special votes win deaf MP a seat
Mojo Mathers' rise to Parliament has been labelled a success not just for the Green Party, but also for the New Zealand deaf community.
1983
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Dunedin 1983
A good crowd gathers to the deep south, Dunedin for the NZ Deaf Sports Convention in 1983.
NZSL Stories

1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Pennant: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989
NZSL Stories
Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?















