1980s
Collection
The Sign Singing Superstars
Collection of archival items related to the Sign Singing Superstars, with videos, images, articles and later, NZSL stories!
Collection
Deaf Picnics
Everyone loves a good picnic, especially if you’re Deaf and the picnic is organised by your local Deaf Club! Collection of archival items related to Deaf picnics over the years, with videos, images, news snippets from newsletters and later, NZSL stories!
1989
Collection
Christchurch 1989: World Deaf Games
After an unsuccessful bid to host the 1985 World Deaf Games, the New Zealanders weren't deterred! In 1983, Christchurch won by a landslide in their second bid. With 30 nations attending, 955 athletes and a 112-member New Zealand team with 61 athletes, it was not only New Zealand's biggest team but also, this was the first time the World Deaf Games was held in the Southern Hemisphere. The 16th World Games for the Deaf was hosted 7-17 January 1989.
NZSL Stories
Collection
Deaf Rugby in New Zealand
New Zealand loves its rugby, and the Deaf community is no exception. The Deaf rugby battlefield has seen many epic regional and international clashes, and the rivalries are intense right up to the final whistle! Collection of archival items related to Deaf rugby with videos, images, articles and later, NZSL stories!
Collection
Documentaries
Documentaries are a powerful tool for drawing attention to a particular issue, explaining a significant time in history, or celebrating an achievement. Special mention should go to Joan Bailey, who pioneered Deaf documentary making in New Zealand, and whose work you can view in this section.
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Est. 1944
Collection
St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children
We are all aware of the immense value St Dominic's has contributed to the New Zealand Deaf education sector. St Dominic’s School for the Deaf opened in 1944 to provide a Catholic based education to deaf children, and ran for 45 years before closing in May 1989.
Est. 1992
Collection
Rūaumoko Komiti – Turi Māori
Tihei mauri ora! Turi Māori are here! SignDNA is proud to present the Turi Māori collection of historic video taonga. The majority of the content of the Turi Māori collection was donated by the Rūaumoko Komiti, with invaluable footage of wānanga, hikoi, and other important korero.
Est. 1922
Collection
Deaf Society of Canterbury
The Deaf Society of Canterbury is New Zealand’s oldest Deaf Club, established on 26 April 1922. Originally Christchurch Deaf Club, later changed to Christchurch Deaf Society, and to Deaf Society of Canterbury as it is known today, it has provided the inspiration for the establishment of other Deaf Clubs around New Zealand.
