Ava Buzzard

A collection of clips from the ‘News Review’ programme 1987-1991.

Deaf Society of Canterbury on Armagh Street celebrates the end of 1990 with a wrap-up Christmas party, and a few speeches!

The popular basketball programme was hosted over two days at Cowles Stadium with footage coverage of the Manawatu and Christchurch ladies competing for the Otago Deaf Society Cup, which Manawatu won (19-15). The winner of the Cunliffe Memorial Cup (men’s) went to Christchurch, with the runner up Wellington (63-56).

Ava Buzzard presents more news in NZSL during the weekly News Review TV show. This segment covered a news report that aired directly after partial coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.

News Review presents a round-up of coverage of the 1989 World Games for the Deaf including a feature on a Deaf-blind wrestler, as well as the closing stages of games in the men’s football, volleyball and basketball.

The Australian and New Zealand Deaf men play basketball at the Trans-Tasman Games, held at Lincoln College, Canterbury in January 1979.

The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf is featured on News Review, covering athletics, basketball, table tennis, lawn bowls and netball. The question, ‘Why have a Deaf Games?’ is put forward to competitors and officials! Footage also features the much appreciated ‘Canterbury Duck’ that Deaf kids had requested more of!

Ava Buzzard talks about commuting to school via her father’s motorbike, home signs, signing and oralism, and the next generation of signers.

Members hustle and bustle around the Deaf Club’s kitchen on a Friday evening, taking care of orders, cooking, and payments - back in the days when meals were $5.00 and cans were only $1!

Footage of the 1991 Christchurch Deaf Society's picnic day held at Spencer Park. On a progressively windy day the local Deaf community gathered to enjoy traditional Deaf community games including tug-of-war, egg throwing, welly throwing, and some less common games such as a dress-up relay.

News Review segment focusing on New Zealand and world news including the collapse of a New Zealand company ‘Equiticorp’, an accident at a nuclear reactor in USA, Prime Minister David Lange discussing record high unemployment figures, as well as an earthquake in Russia, among other updates.

The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf wrapped up with a presentation dinner-and-dance evening at Addington Raceway’s ‘Twiggers’ on Sunday 25th October 1987. A jam-packed evening with plenty of talking, sitting down, a buffet meal, dancing to live music, and group photos, with the venue closing 1.30am!

In 1987, News Review became the first New Zealand programme to incorporate NZSL in its production. The show ceased in 1991 and to date, there has not been a similar programme using Deaf presenters or NZSL in full.

Christchurch Deaf Club Basketball ‘Deaf Boys’ Picnic at Spencer Park, Sunday 13th March 1977.

Christchurch Deaf Club hosted its annual picnic at Amberley, north of Christchurch. As usual, there are games aplenty, with the Amberley swimming pool a perfect location to cool off.

Deaf New Zealanders take timeout for some sightseeing during a trip to the first, week-long Deaf Way conference in 1989 in Washington DC, USA.

Members of the Canterbury Deaf community make for a picnic on a lovely day, with tug-o-war and running races.

It's a Friday evening and the Christchurch Deaf Club is where its happening! A tour group of 24 Deaf Japanese visitors make CDC a must-visit on their New Zealand itinerary.

Ava Buzzard talks about life growing up in Christchurch, her hobbies, moving to Auckland as well as her children and their educational upbringing.

A fancy dress party is held at the Canterbury Deaf Society’s clubrooms.