
Est. 1988
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowls for the Deaf: Lowest Points
2007
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Deaf people being left on the outer
A shortage of sign language interpreters means as many as 7700 deaf people are struggling to access services in their communities.
NZSL Stories
1991
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Signs break the ice
Lower Hutt's Myra Sullivan showing hearing people how to use sign language at a workshop for the deaf held at Wellington College of Education yesterday.
2000
video – Taonga source: Shona McGhie
ADS Basketball Club 50th Jubilee
The Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club celebrate their ‘Golden’ Anniversary, their 50th anniversary, at the ADS Balmoral clubrooms where people share their memories of being involved in the basketball club.
NZSL Stories
1992
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Second National Deaf Sevens tournament
The second National Deaf Sevens tournament was held at the Linton Military Camp, located just south of Palmerston North, where the Central boys won a points-based competition.
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

2001
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Bronze Medal: Ten Pin Bowling, NZ Deaf Games, Christchurch 2001
NZSL Stories
2013
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald.
Mean thieves drive off in deaf couple’s van
A deaf couple are appealing to the public for help after the family's van was stolen from outside their home. Mita Moses and Kathy Strongman want their vehicle back so they can carry on providing a normal life for their family of four children.
1992
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Police complain to TVNZ about Curry documentary
The Ivan Curry documentary has prompted the deaf community to insist that professional sign language interpreters be used in all police and court work in future.
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ celebrates her 90th at ADS!
Kathleen French, Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ and a life member of Auckland Deaf Society celebrates her 90th birthday party at the Balmoral clubroom on 24 May 2003 with approximately 140 people attending.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
Help us name people in videos!
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
‘News Review’ puts a spotlight on the New Zealand Deaf Games in Christchurch over the weekend of 23 – 26 October 1987
The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf is featured on News Review, covering athletics, basketball, table tennis, lawn bowls and netball. The question, ‘Why have a Deaf Games?’ is put forward to competitors and officials! Footage also features the much appreciated ‘Canterbury Duck’ that Deaf kids had requested more of!
NZSL Stories

1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989
NZSL Stories

1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: New Zealand Flag
NZSL Stories

1980s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
SSI-240 Teletypewriter (TTY)
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Good old fashioned fun at the Christchurch Deaf Society’s picnic
Footage of the 1991 Christchurch Deaf Society's picnic day held at Spencer Park. On a progressively windy day the local Deaf community gathered to enjoy traditional Deaf community games including tug-of-war, egg throwing, welly throwing, and some less common games such as a dress-up relay.
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?
2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Deaf Teen’s New School
Gaby Evans is 13 and moving hundreds of kilometres from her rural home to Auckland's Kelston Deaf Education Centre. Until now she's been isolated, and never had to know how to sign. If she's going to make it on her own she's going to have to come out of her shell and learn to communicate with her deaf classmates.

1968
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1968
NZSL Stories
2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
On 6th April 2006, members of the Deaf community and supporters gathered on the steps of parliament to celebrate the NZSL Bill passing its Third Reading, becoming the NZSL Act (2006). This marked the end of a long journey to give NZSL official status in Aotearoa New Zealand. This footage was screened on TV3 that evening.
1969
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Deaf Runner Hopes Panel Will Listen
The deaf Lynndale athlete is endeavouring to gain selection for the forth coming Deaf Olympics to be held in Yugoslavia in July.
1989
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
National Foundation for the Deaf promotional video
National Foundation for the Deaf produce a promotional video explaining their role and the purpose of their member organisations.
NZSL Stories
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?
biography
Profile
Anthony ‘Tony’ Walton (CNZM)
Tony received the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to the Deaf community. Tony has had a broad involvement in many areas of the Deaf community, having been President of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and successfully hosting the World Deaf Games in 1989.
NZSL Stories

1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Team, 1978
NZSL Stories
1959
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Kelston School for the Deaf (1959)
Annual Parent’s Day at Kelston School for the Deaf, with rides (horses, fire tank and alike!), performances and end-of-year prizes.

2000
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, Winners of ‘The Brian Smithers Cup’ 2000
NZSL Stories

2005
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Gold Medal: 8 Ball Pool, New Zealand Deaf Games, New Plymouth 2005
NZSL Stories
Everyone has a story to tell.

2005
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2005
NZSL Stories
1985
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Amberley: Summer 1985
Christchurch Deaf Club hosted its annual picnic at Amberley, north of Christchurch. As usual, there are games aplenty, with the Amberley swimming pool a perfect location to cool off.

1994
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Football Union, Winners of National Deaf Seven Championship, 1994
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Lip service
The producer of News Review explains the innovations and experimentations they have made in creating the programme, specially designed for the hard of hearing.
1989
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
33rd New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, 19-23 October 1989
NZSL Stories
Do you know of an online article that SignDNA should link to?













