1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: February 1984
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 1990
1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Harmony’
The Sign Singers perform 'Harmony' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983. They are introduced in sign language, in one of the first examples of a non-Deaf person signing on prime time television.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1990
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)
1985
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Telethon 1985
The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
New Zealand Deaf News: Winter 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 2)
1986
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty
A ‘Mime and Masks’ show by Deaf Drama Group: A Visit to Kiwiland
A Deaf Drama group perfoms 'A Visit to Kiwiland' at Kelston with supporting acts by the Sign Singers. The evening fundraised $766.00 towards the purchase of a TTY and to sponsor two pupils from Kelston to attend the World Deaf Games in Christchurch 1989.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)
1982
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1982 (Vol. 19, No. 3)
1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: June 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: September 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 5)
1991
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
NZSL Tutors attend an intensive City Lit Training course in London
In the history of NZSL teaching, perhaps the most important development was when 8 NZSL tutors attended a two-week intensive teaching course in London in 1991. Watch this condensed version (taking from almost 29 hours of footage!) to get a sense of what the training was like.
Featured Story
Community Life and Places
The Sign Singing Superstars
Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1991
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 1990
1980
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: December 1980 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
1981
article – Taonga source: Central Leader
Deaf singers in song
For the last 15 months, the Independent Theatre of the Deaf has performed in venues all over Auckland as the Deaf Sign Singers.
1986
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1986 (Vol. 22. No. 4)
1990
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Welcome 1990 Haere Mai!
The Auckland Sign Singers were invited to perform with others in a three-hour entertainment special to celebrate 1990 which was broadcast live from Bastion Point on TV One at 7.30pm.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
1985
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 3)
1984
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform on the ‘In South Tonight’ programme – Dunedin 1984
The Sign Singers tour the South Island for Deaf Awareness in 1984, and are invited to perform on ‘In South Tonight’ while in Dunedin.
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1989
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: July 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 2)
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: July 1983
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘I Hear Your Hand’
The Sign Singers perform the song 'I Hear Your Hand' for the Stars on Sunday programme.
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: January 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 1)
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.
1983
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Sign Language Puts The Deaf in Tune
The Deaf Sign Singers have a busy schedule this year with performances throughout the North Island.
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 4)
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1989
1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 3)
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform Silent Night
The Sign Singers perform the famous carol 'Silent Night' for the Stars on Sunday programme.
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
Opening of Deaf Association’s new premises in New Lynn, Auckland
The opening of the Deaf Association National Office and the Auckland Branch Office at the Ceramic House in Totara Avenue, New Lynn on 18 June 1993.
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers at Telethon 1981
The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.
1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Sailing’
The Sign Singers perform the hit song 'Sailing' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in May 1982. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.”
1979
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: March 1979 (Vol. 2, No. 1)
1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Born Free’
The Sign Singers perform the song 'Born Free' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in June 1982.
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 1)
1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Oh What a Beautiful Day’
The Sign Singers perform 'Oh What a Beautiful Day' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)