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1953
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Institute To Be Started In Auckland Soon

The Friends of the Deaf has paid £3000 for a three-quarter acre site at 166 Balmoral Road and in the new year it will begin to erect there the first permanent institute for deaf adults in New Zealand.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
2007
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Deaf chaplain dies before move home

Danny Beech, a long-time leader of New Zealand's deaf community, both Catholic and secular, has died.
2006
article – Taonga source: NZ Catholic

Deaf community gathers to honour teacher and friend

The deaf community of the lower North Island gathered in Palmerston North on the last weekend of September to honour a teacher and chaplain, mentor and friend who has worked with the deaf since 1972.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Nice touch to start of Deaf Games

A touching moment at the opening of the World Games for the Deaf appeared to set the tone for the competition. The entire United States team lined up to touch hands with the Russian athletes as the Soviet team marched into place.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
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.

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1995
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

Black magic hat

Shaun Fahey was wearing the right hat when Black Magic won the America's Cup – but he couldn't throw it in the air to celebrate. His hat is actually a replica of the New Zealand boat, 71cm long and 110cm high, complete with seascape, dolphin, buoy, fish and an array of sponsors' stickers.
2008
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Signing their way to confidence

Daniel Greenwood of Auckland nimbly negotiates a wall on the Camp David confidence course. Nothing unusual in that, but take a closer look and a second person stands alongside Mr Greenwood using his hands to communicate.
1979
article – Taonga source: The Press

Mixed doubles badminton at the Trans-Tasman Deaf Games

Carolyn Hamlin keeps a keen eye on the opposition while Lindsay Bamford returns a shot during the mixed doubles Badminton competition of the triennial Trans-Tasman Deaf Games at Lincoln College.
1996
article – Taonga source: Taranaki Daily News

Lobbying pays off for deaf community

Three years of lobbying for more support has finally borne fruit for the Taranaki deaf community. An office of the Deaf Association opened in New Plymouth this week, to provide needs assessment, information and some interpretation services for deaf people.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris

Deaf Couple Married At Ruawai

Deaf Bridal Couple – Mr and Mrs N.G. Norris after their marriage in the Ruawai Methodist Church. Both are totally deaf.
Colleen Norris
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Patreena Bryan

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2001
article – Taonga source: The Napier Mail

Terror in the quiet

Napier Deaf brother and sisters – Doreen Howell and Ray Forman – talk about their experiences in the 1931 earthquake.
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
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Susie Ovens
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Action in the World Games for the Deaf basketball tournament at Cowles Stadium

New Zealand was beaten by Australia in the basketball at Cowles Stadium today, 76-63. The New Zealand captain, Tony McGill, put the first points on the board with an impressive three pointer but the Kiwis could not keep the pressure on.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Fielding cyclist wins gold for N.Z.

New Zealand's first gold medal was won yesterday by a Fielding cyclist, John Ooteman. Aged 28, Ooteman won the 35km time trial event on the Old West Coast Road ahead of 23 other competitors with a time of 51 min 12.13s.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
2009
article – Taonga source: Palmerston North Diocesan News

We See What You Mean – St Dominic’s past in print

A history of St Dominic's School for the Deaf was launched in March in Feilding and Auckland. 'We See What You Mean' has been the culmination of many years' work by author Dorothy Pilkington and the school's History Society Committee.

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1981
article – Taonga source: The Press

Deaf field officer for Christchurch

A field officer for the deaf, Mr David Chilwell, a former president of the Christchurch Deaf Club, has been appointed in Christchurch as a result of a grant from the Lottery Funds Board.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
1961
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team for deaf games backed

The Auckland Deaf Society has reversed a previous decision and decided to support the team being sent to the Olympic Games for deaf people in Helsinki in August by the Wellington Deaf Sports Club.
Auckland Deaf Society
2021
article – Taonga source: Stuff

Treated like a criminal’: Deaf traveller’s ‘terrible experience’ returning to New Zealand

A Deaf woman is calling for airlines and airports to better equip staff to communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing travellers after a “terrible experience” returning to New Zealand from Rarotonga that made her feel she was being “treated like a criminal”.
Stuff
2016
article – Taonga source: The Press.

Deaf chef Kristofer Jonsson encourages others to break through barriers

Kristofer Jonsson is a calm and quiet chef, never yelling at anyone in the kitchen, and for good reason – he's deaf. "I focus on the visual side – you can look at the colour, where things are browning."
The Press.
1978
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Helping the deaf to communicate

Daniel Beech was in New Plymouth over the weekend to demonstrate a new machine which enables deaf people to use a telephone.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton

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1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society

There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.
Auckland Deaf Society
1974
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Putting Them In Touch: New World Opened For Deaf With ‘Talking Telephones’

Anthony and Christine Walton, both deaf, are recipients of one of the first phonotypes to be installed in the Wellington area.
1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald

Singing and signing

The price in being part of the 600-strong Commonwealth Games opening ceremony choir as they use sign language to sing is evident.
2014
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian

A modern tale of two deaf children

Deaf pupil Rahui Lee, 11, leads the year 7 and 8 class in a sign language game of mastermind, in which pupils have to guess a mystery four-digit number by signing.
1983
article – Taonga source: Eastern Suburbs News

Telephone talk for the deaf

Mrs Lilian Walton of Kilbirnie is the proud owner of a new machine which enables deaf people to talk on the phone. For Mrs Walton, the teleprinter means she can "talk" to her deaf son and his deaf wife.

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2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Sign of the times

Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."
1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Desperate need in N.Z. for interpreters

Qualified interpreters are desperately needed to cope with the needs of deaf people in New Zealand.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1991
article – Taonga source: The Guardian

Deaf drama group presents NZ first

The Manawatu Deaf Drama Group (MADEDRA) will present a show at Abbey Theatre, before taking it to Auckland for the Deaf View Conference and eventually, hope to travel overseas.
1992
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Needs of deaf people given ‘low’ priority

New Zealand Sign Language must be given official recognition as a language or it will die, Deaf Association President Jennifer Brain says.
1960
article – Taonga source: John McRae

N.Z. wrestler wins 2 medals

Auckland welterweight wrestler John McRae captured a silver medal and a bronze at the Olympic Games for the Deaf in Helsinki.
John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy

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