reset filter
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

And the gold goes to John Ooteman!

Dressed in jandals, John Ooteman takes to the podium for his gold medal in the 35 km time trial, supported by a crew of New Zealand supporters. 
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: June 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 2)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Basketball finals pull in the crowds at the NZ Deaf Games, Christchurch 1987

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).
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2005
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaflympics Team, 20th Deaflympic Games, Melbourne 2005

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jeff Went
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

38th New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, Labour Weekend 1995

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Windy Hands: June 2016

Wellington Deaf Society
2000
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

Inside Out: The Art of Signing

Inside Out produces a programme about New Zealand Sign Language, its value to the Deaf community as well as its artistic forms.
Deaf Aotearoa
1978
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Canterbury Deaf Club teams travel to Greymouth

The Canterbury Deaf Club Basketball & Netball teams travels to Greymouth, with the ‘Deaf Boys’ playing against the ‘Hot Shots’ and winning 67-54.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
2022
NZSL story – Taonga source: Janet Watt

Teaching sign language in preparation for the Christchurch 1989 World Deaf Games

Once New Zealand was awarded the host of the XVIth World Deaf Games at Los Angeles 1985, there was a realisation that sign language classes needed to commence in preparation for Christchurch 1989.
Janet Watt
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’.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jonathan Anton
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Los Angeles 1985: An update from the team manager with team results

The New Zealand team manager, Tony Walton, reports on the team’s results at the Los Angeles 1985 World Deaf Games including where the team stayed and played at.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Janet Watt
2006
video – Taonga source: Handmade Productions Aotearoa

Sign of the Times: The Story of New Zealand’s Visual Language

In April 2006, New Zealand Parliament declared NZSL to be an official language - the culmination of a 20-year battle by the deaf community, and a true hallmark in the recognition of their native language. 'Sign of the Times' is about the deaf New Zealanders who fought to have their language recognised as a real language and as a viable means of communication. The film documents the community's celebration of the official recognition of their language and looks at the community's ongoing hopes and aspirations for their language and culture.
Handmade Productions Aotearoa
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
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.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1985
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Amberley: Summer 1985

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 Society of Canterbury
1995
video – Taonga source: Richard Peri

Second test: New Zealand Deaf vs South Africa

The first ever International Deaf Rugby Test Series was held in New Zealand in 1995 between New Zealand and South Africa. South Africa won the series 2-1.
Richard Peri
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Kevin Pivac
1978
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

Christchurch Basketball and Netball teams leave for Greymouth

The Christchurch Deaf Mens Basketball team travel to Greymouth, accompanied by the Deaf netball team.
Dennis Tod
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.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jonathan Anton
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: December 1995

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2010

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane
  • Richard Hay
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: June 1992

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology

An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.
Deaf Aotearoa
1995
Images – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf Rugby

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby Football Union, New Zealand v South Africa, 1995

New Zealand Deaf Rugby
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Richard Hay
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Good old fashioned fun at the Christchurch Deaf Society’s picnic

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.
Rodney Roberts
1994
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Japanese Deaf group visits Christchurch Deaf Club

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.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
2014
video – Taonga source: Deaf Studies Research Unit, VUW

Christchurch Earthquakes: The Deaf Experience

Deaf people share stories in NZSL of their experiences through the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
Deaf Studies Research Unit, VUW
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

‘Spot On’ visits a Deaf basketball training session

The educational TV series ‘Spot On’, visits a Deaf basketball training session to catch up with Royce Flynn and Megan Mansfield, and understand how the sport is played by Deaf athletes, and controlled by a Deaf referee.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Susie Ovens
1984-85
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Basketball Team, 4th Trans-Tasman Games, New Zealand 1984-1985

Auckland Deaf Society