
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society’s Most Popular Member of the Year


1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Able to talk
For the first time in their lives, Pam and Kay, who are profoundly deaf, can talk to each other by telephone. The Combined Societies for the Deaf is hoping to get telephone-type equipment in airports, police stations, taxi offices and emergency service switchboards.


1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: December 1981 (Vol. 19, No. 4)
NZSL Stories


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Opening ceremony of the VX World Games for the Deaf
New Zealand sends 30 athletes to the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, with footage of the opening ceremony. The flagbearer for New Zealand was John Ooteman, with Susie Ovens carrying the kiwi mascot. The Gallaudet Dance Company also put on a performance. Footage shows a fly by with a sign saying ‘WELCOME WORLD GAMES FOR THE DEAF’.





















NZSL Stories


1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)





1983
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Telephones for the deaf
For the first time since they met, Pam and Kaz Witko can talk to each other on the telephone… well, it’s not really talking it’s more like writing letters, only a lot faster.


Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Nelson Fairbrother Memorial: Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls, Singles



1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
DEAF GAMES
New Zealand won its first gold medal at the World Games for the Deaf in California yesterday when cyclist John Ooteman (Fielding) won the 35km time trial in 51m 10s. Also includes results from the New Zealand team.
NZSL Stories


1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
38th New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, Labour Weekend 1995

NZSL Stories


1988
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Wellington fields 16 at deaf Games
Sixteen Wellingtonians are part of the 97 strong New Zealand team to compete in the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch. Local members of the team and the sport they are competing in are listed.
NZSL Stories


1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
‘News Review’ puts a spotlight on the New Zealand Deaf Games in Christchurch over the weekend of 23 – 26 October 1987
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!


NZSL Stories


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Kiwi Power! Gold (and silver) in the badminton ladies doubles
Watch Carolyn Hamlin and Janet Watt’s final match in the ladies doubles; they win the game for the gold! In second place is Pam Croskery and Penny Went, both also from New Zealand.





















NZSL Stories


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


2015
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: June 2015


2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!
Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.



1989
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
33rd New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, 19-23 October 1989

NZSL Stories


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Engine issue delays the New Zealand team’s journey to Los Angeles
Narrated by Tony Walton, the New Zealand team’s plans are disrupted two hours into their flight with an engine problem. They are forced to return back to Auckland.





















NZSL Stories


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



1999
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Rodney’s Deaf Saturday
Rodney Roberts takes us through the typical Saturday of a Deaf Wellingtonian, with the Manawatu Deaf boys playing a game of rugby (and being well beaten 47 to 7), before taking us on a tour through a Wellington Deaf Society event to farewell an international interpreter.




1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981


NZSL Stories


1989
publication – Taonga source: Shona McGhie
VXIth World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch: 7-17 January 1989









NZSL Stories


1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Representing his country at deaf games
Paparangi's Kaz Witko will be representing New Zealand at the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles later this year. At 36, Kaz is no stranger to playing sport for his country.

NZSL Stories


2013
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: September 2013



1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Medal ceremony: Our badminton champions collect their medals!
It’s not often we get to see four New Zealanders on the podium at the same time, and that is what we get in this video! It's most certainly time to break out the champagne when the team gets back to their base with a speech by the team manager.





















NZSL Stories


1985
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, Los Angeles 1985



NZSL Stories


1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)



NZSL Stories


1989
publication – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
New Zealand Deaf Sports Team: XVIth World Games for the Deaf



NZSL Stories


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.




1972
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
First Australia v New Zealand Deaf Men’s Basketball Match: January 1972



1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Pam and Kaz take life in their stride
Says Pam: “I think for me I live in two worlds and have two languages, the deaf language and the hearing language. I speak the deaf language because I was brought up with it.”












