reset filter
2011
article – Taonga source: Capital Times

A sign of communication

It's one of NZ's official languages yet still a mystery to most of us; the sign language used by the Deaf community. As part of Deaf Awareness Week, we asked Kerry Locker-Lampson about being an interpreter.
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Deaf learn Maori culture

A Maori house of learning for deaf children was opened at the Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland yesterday after many hours of voluntary work by deaf adults and pupils.
1992
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

Dictionary for the language of the deaf

Nearly quarter of a million dollars in sponsorship has been raised for the NZSL dictionary, a joint effort by the University and the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
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.
1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

The Silent Olympics

The team of 17 deaf athletes are farewelled at Kelston School for the Deaf, with official team photos, before leaving for the 10th International Games for the Deaf at Washington D.C.
Pam Witko
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Advertisement: 120,000 cheers

National Provident is proud to be the sole sponsor of the New Zealand team contesting the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1992
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald

Court scenes show shocking injustice

When 'The Remand of Ivan Curry' concluded last night with the knowledge that a deaf man wrongly accused for murder and imprisoned for two years without trial was finally released with nothing – no apology nor any compensation – the indignation must have risen high in the throats of many viewers.
1973
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Telephones For The Deaf Are Opening Up A New World Of Communication

A revolutionary device which opens up a whole new world for those born deaf is now being demonstrated in Wellington. New Zealand is the only second country in the world to adopt the system so far.
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.
1978
article – Taonga source: The Daily News

Deaf protest TV licences

Fifty deaf people registered a silent protest outside the Auckland Magistrate’s Court yesterday about what they say is the subtle discrimination of New Zealand against deaf people.
1982
article – Taonga source: NZPA

Teletext news service begins

Teletext, TVNZ’s new information service for disabled and general users, will be introduced on February 1. It has cost about $1 million to set up and part of the money came from the 1981 Telethon.
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Some fresh air and football at the NZ Deaf Games, Christchurch 1987

Two men’s mixed teams played football 1.00pm to 3.00pm on Sunday 25th October 1987 at Cowles Stadium. No formal prizes were awarded for football, nor did it count for points towards the Aotearoa Turi Shield. It was for the selection of the New Zealand Deaf football team for the upcoming 1989 World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Pam Croskery
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Interpreters spent year on training

Nearly 90 Christchurch people have spent the last year training to be interpreters at the World Games for the Deaf, with about 50 deaf people teaching the volunteers their language.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
1986
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Women’s Basketball, 1986

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1991
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Host Committee, Easter 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1978
video – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

23rd Deaf Sports Convention: Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball

A packed YMCA hall with supporters watching the Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball game.
Pam Croskery
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1969
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

In A Silent World

Social Welfare Officer and organising secretary of The Friends of the Deaf in Auckland hopes to provide housing via several units to be known as the Eddowes Memorial Village.
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
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Janet Watt
  • Jonathan Anton
1974
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Deaf people can now use the telephone

So far, four teleprinter phonetype telephones have been installed in the homes of totally deaf people in the Wellington area. They can be hired from the Wellington branch of the New Zealand deaf communications network.
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tony Walton Sportsperson of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

Pat’s deafness helps others

The new field officer for the deaf, Pat says “…deaf people are not morons.”
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
biography
Profile

Lynette Pivac (MBE)

In 1996, Lynette was awarded the Member of British Empire for her services in Deaf education and sign language. She mostly initiated the development of NZSL resources, the training of NZSL tutors and involvement in NZSL teaching issues at national level. She advocated for NZSL and Deaf Studies to be introduced into Deaf education and was the first Deaf Board of Trustees Chairperson.
1992
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Job Advertisement: Sign Language Interpreter

Applications are invited for the above position based in the Wellington Welfare Office for the Deaf. Interpreting work will include areas such as welfare, court, political meetings, medical, etc. Application giving full curriculum vitae and a VHS video tape of yourself of no less than 15 minutes presented in sign language.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1987
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Women’s Basketball, 1987

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Curry case highlights Deaf plight

A television documentary on the plight of a deaf man has spurred the Glen Eden-based New Zealand Association of the Deaf into action. It wants to see the man, wrongly imprisoned for two years, receive compensation for his ordeal.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1990
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Wrap-up Christmas party at Deaf Society of Canterbury

Deaf Society of Canterbury on Armagh Street celebrates the end of 1990 with a wrap-up Christmas party, and a few speeches!
Rodney Roberts
2014
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Deaf Southern Star: 2014 (Vol. 36, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1988
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

They’re naturals for the part

A production this month of the play Children of a Lesser God in Auckland will feature two deaf actors, Bryan Williams and Sheila Gibbons. And the starring role will be played, for the second time, by Gloss actress Miranda Harcourt.
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Doug Croskery
  • Milton Reedy
  • Colleen Norris
  • Susie Ovens