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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.
Attitude Pictures
1989
video – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe

16th World Games for Deaf – News Review segment

News Review coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch 1989.
Kerry Titcombe
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
  • Milton Reedy
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
  • Susie Ovens
1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Easter 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1994
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club, 1994

Manawatu Deaf Society
1979
article – Taonga source: The Press

Veteran journalist dies, 79

Veteran newspaperman Geoffrey Webster died today at 79. He recently had major surgery. About 25 years ago, in association with Mr D.Nathan and two others, he founded the Friends of the Deaf Inc, which today has property in Balmoral Rd, and assets worth more than $2 million.

Preserving our tāonga – our NZSL history and language.

Find out more! 

Telethons
Telethons
Telethons
1970s onwards
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Telethons

Telethons were run nationwide in New Zealand in 1975-79, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-91, 1993 and 2009. The 24-hour fundraiser would take place in regions around New Zealand and was broadcast on TV. Viewers would be shown coverage of the telethon nearest to their location. Smaller regions would typically see coverage of the telethon in one of the main centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin), and it was in those areas where Deaf people were invited to participate.
2002
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Auckland Schools for Deaf: 60th Reunion

Weekend celebrations are kickstarted with a Māori Deaf kapa haka group to perform a haka powhiri. Vintage teachers such as Les Bury briefly summarise their experiences of working in Deaf education over the years.
Dorothy Jones
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
1979
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Basketball Deaf Club, 1979

Manawatu Deaf Society
1987
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Men’s Basketball, 1987

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

1970
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1970

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Terry Kane
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
1994
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ

Yearbook: van Asch College, 1994

Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens

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

Yes, I do!  

2023
article – Taonga source: Bay of Plenty Times

Deaf couple use sign language to organise building a new house

A new house build can be a challenging time for a young couple. But Gregory and Victoria Lessing are also deaf, and undertook a house build from scratch using NZSL.
Bay of Plenty Times
1960-70s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Handmade Athletic and Basketball Uniform: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
1990
video – Taonga source: Natasha Jumelet

An insight into Miss Auckland Deaf preparations

Contestants practice their routine at the Auckland Deaf Society clubroom in preparation for the Miss Auckland Deaf competition.
Natasha Jumelet
1973
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Married recently: Kaz and Pam Witko

Married recently at St Patrick’s Church, Paraparaumu were Kaz and Pam Witko, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Howell. The couple will live in Perth.
Pam Witko
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Lawn Bowls prizegiving at Christchurch Deaf Society

The Christchurch Deaf Lawn Bowls Club organises its annual prizegiving, with lunch and drinks at Christchurch Deaf Society, on 6th October 1993.
Deaf Society of Canterbury

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Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Nilsson Cup: Indoor Bowls Singles

Manawatu Deaf Society
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Ray and Polly Forman

Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Patreena Bryan
1987
article – Taonga source: Los Angeles Times

Dictionary of Signs: CSUN Gets Book, Gratitude of New Zealand Deaf

The CSUN library is given a copy of 'Introduction to New Zealand Sign Language', the first published dictionary of the native language of New Zealand's 6,000 deaf with 1,200 signs.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Vintage Clock Tea Caddy Spoon: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
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.
Zena Hughes

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Auckland gives the New Zealand Deaf team a proper send off!

The New Zealand Deaf team marched on Dominion Road, accompanied by police, with farewell speeches at Auckland Deaf Society before departing for the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Janet Watt
1979
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

NZ Deaf Sport Convention, Christchurch 1979

Scenes from NZ Deaf Sport Convention in Christchurch 1979, with sports such as shot-put and athletics, including some impressive sprinting and middle distance running.
Sue Penman
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Championship Pairs

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 1987
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Basketball Club: Bernie Clews Trophy – Most Fittest Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1953
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet

IS THERE NO HOPE AT ALL? Plight of Deaf Children

St. Dominic's is a mile or so on the Palmerston side of Feilding. Set back across the railway line from the highway is a fine old country mansion framed by trees and lawns. At one side are the former barns and stables, now being used as temporary classrooms. On the other side the builders are busy completing new classrooms for use next year; when these are finished they will begin work on the children's new sleeping quarters adjoining.

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