1976
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1976 (Vol. 13, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992
NZSL Stories
2020
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Inside Outside: Rachel Berry
Rachel Berry lives with her flatmates in Christchurch, where they’re often out exploring. Three out of four in their house are Deaf, so at home they use NZSL.
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Able to talk
For the first time in their lives, Pam and Kay, who are profoundly deaf, can talk to each other by telephone. The Combined Societies for the Deaf is hoping to get telephone-type equipment in airports, police stations, taxi offices and emergency service switchboards.

1965
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, Tenth International Games for the Deaf, Washington D.C. 1965
NZSL Stories
Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.
1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball 25th Jubilee: Social dance at Armagh Street Clubroom
The Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club, established in 1951, celebrates their 25th Jubilee on Saturday 31 July, 1976 – with a game between old previous members versus young current members, before a social dance evening at the Armagh Street clubroom.

Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Walbran Cup, Most Improved Player
NZSL Stories

1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Ultratec Superprint TTY
1954
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Socialising at Labour Weekend Wellington 1954
Athletes and spectators take a day out from the sporting competition to have fun in Wellington, 1954.
NZSL Stories
1999
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Rodney’s Deaf Saturday
Rodney Roberts takes us through the typical Saturday of a Deaf Wellingtonian, with the Manawatu Deaf boys playing a game of rugby (and being well beaten 47 to 7), before taking us on a tour through a Wellington Deaf Society event to farewell an international interpreter.
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2022
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week: Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga
Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga was on a troubled trajectory in life until he got his hands on te reo and connected with his Māori culture. Hokianga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou) and Kim Robinson of Deaf Action New Zealand are delivering a groundbreaking initiative in the form of an eight-week course to be held, ideally, across 20 Northland marae.
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 1962
NZSL Stories


Est. 1880
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; formerly Sumner School for the Deaf then van Asch School for the Deaf). The school has a long and illustrious history, with its services covering a huge geographical spread. Established in 1880, van Asch was the oldest special school establishment in New Zealand and also believed to be the oldest fully government funded residential school in the world. van Asch celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2005. It merged with Kelston Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.

2015
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Pen: Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club – 40th Anniversary, 1975-2015
1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Deaf Couple Marry
The bride and groom and three other members of the wedding party were deaf and 30 of the guests had also attended the School for Deaf at Titirangi, where the bridge and groom met. Mr Moore says that although a wedding of a deaf couple was not unusual in Auckland, he thinks it is the first time such a ceremony has taken place in Northland.
NZSL Stories
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Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society McRae Cup: The All Round Indoor Sports
1976
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Past and current Christchurch Deaf Club basketball players face-off for a game
Established in 1951, the Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club celebrated their 25th Jubilee on Saturday 31 July 1976. The day kickstarts with a game between past players – in blue tops – versus current players – in yellow tops. There was also a social dance held that evening.

2008
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Hat: Wellington Deaf Youth Group, 3rd National Deaf Youth Camp, 2008

2005
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Tie: Auckland Deaf Society
2002
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
In full voice
This fascinating book provides insight into a community about which most people are unaware. This is the world of Deaf culture, of Deaf as an identity, not a disability or deficit – Deaf with a capital D.
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1998
NZSL Stories
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1981
article – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Money woes hit Deaf Games bid
The New Zealand team to compete in the World Deaf Games in West Germany later this month is $10,000 short of funds. The 20-strong team is due to buy its air travel tickets and is faced with having to borrow the deficit.
NZSL Stories
1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Diamond Harbour 1979
The Christchurch Deaf Club members have a picnic at Diamond Harbour, with traditional sports and activities.
2002
video – Taonga source: Zena Hughes
Third national Deaf Womens’ Sevens Tournament
The Northern Deaf womens’ team wins the third sevens tournament, comfortably beats Central 60-0 and Southern 34-0. Southern beats Central 34-5.
Everyone has a story to tell.
1944
article – Taonga source: Lesley Schischka
Twin Auckland Footballers
R.Schischka (centre) and L.Schischka, two members of the Ponsonby senior rugby team with their coach E.J. Skinner. The Schischka twins are both deaf and dumb.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Advertisement: Calling all Kiwis…
Calling all Kiwis...Join in the fun at the XVI World Games for the Deaf. Telecom is proud to have sponsored the Telecommunication facilities at each sporting venue.
NZSL Stories

Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Aggregate Points
NZSL Stories
1965
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Washington Xth International Silent Games
The New Zealand team attending the 10th World Deaf Games in Washington, USA, 1965.

2009
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
Team Photo: 16th National Deaf Rugby Inter-Zonal Champs, Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 2009
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