
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.

NZSL Stories


1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)







1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 2)





NZSL Stories


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).





NZSL Stories


2005
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaflympics Team, 20th Deaflympic Games, Melbourne 2005


NZSL Stories


1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 1990




NZSL Stories


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



NZSL Stories


2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Windy Hands: June 2016





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.





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.







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.








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


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.
















NZSL Stories


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.




1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 1)
NZSL Stories


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.


NZSL Stories


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.







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.


NZSL Stories


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.




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


1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1995





NZSL Stories


2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2010




NZSL Stories


1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992





NZSL Stories


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.





1995
Images – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf Rugby
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby Football Union, New Zealand v South Africa, 1995


NZSL Stories


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.




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.







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.




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.


NZSL Stories


1984-85
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Basketball Team, 4th Trans-Tasman Games, New Zealand 1984-1985



