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.
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.
NZSL Stories
1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Easter 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 1)
NZSL Stories

1994
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club, 1994
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.


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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 3)
NZSL Stories

1979
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: Manawatu Basketball Deaf Club, 1979

1987
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Men’s Basketball, 1987
NZSL Stories
Help us name people in videos!

1970
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1970
NZSL Stories

Est. 1969
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Walton Award: Sports Man of the Year

1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games
NZSL Stories
1994
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
Yearbook: van Asch College, 1994

1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981
NZSL Stories
Do you have films, photos or papers about the Deaf World?
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.

1960-70s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Handmade Athletic and Basketball Uniform: Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
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.
Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?

Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Nilsson Cup: Indoor Bowls Singles
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.
NZSL Stories
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
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
NZSL Stories
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.
NZSL Stories

Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Championship Pairs
NZSL Stories

Est. 1987
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Basketball Club: Bernie Clews Trophy – Most Fittest Player of the Year
NZSL Stories
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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