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2011
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand

God Defend New Zealand: New Zealand National Anthem in NZSL, Maori & English

In NZSL with subtitles in Māori and English; created in collaboration with native speakers of NZSL, Māori & English, and sign language linguists from the Deaf community, with the purpose to create a NZSL translation that was true to the meaning behind the Māori & English lyrics.
Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand
1992
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Needs of deaf people given ‘low’ priority

New Zealand Sign Language must be given official recognition as a language or it will die, Deaf Association President Jennifer Brain says.
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Athletics at the 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf: Christchurch 1987

The popular athletics interclub and open championship ran to a tight program, from 8:00am to 12:00 noon. The Oxspring Shield for interclub athletics went to Auckland with 32 points. The 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf in Christchurch provided valuable experience for hosting the World Deaf Games to be held in Christchurch in January 1989. At Cowles Stadium, Shona McGhie and Tony Walton are also interviewed by News Review.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1990-91
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring/Summer 1990/91 (Vol. 24. No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
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
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Summer 1997

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2007
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Deaf people being left on the outer

A shortage of sign language interpreters means as many as 7700 deaf people are struggling to access services in their communities.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1987
article – Taonga source: Los Angeles Times

Dictionary of Signs: CSUN Gets Book, Gratitude of New Zealand Deaf

The CSUN library is given a copy of 'Introduction to New Zealand Sign Language', the first published dictionary of the native language of New Zealand's 6,000 deaf with 1,200 signs.
2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia

Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa

This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)
Speak Up Kōrerotia
2001
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation

Soundscape: February 2001

Oticon Foundation
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

NZ gets 8 more NZSL interpreters from the first AIT Diploma class

The first graduates of the Diploma in NZSL Interpreting course will start working in the community, enabling Deaf people to achieve their rights to access a range of settings and services.
Television New Zealand Archive
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!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

An ear for the deaf

The 600 people in Wellington at last have their own sign interpreter. Rachel Locker was appointed as sign language interpreter for the deaf on Monday.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2014
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation

Soundscape: February 2014

Oticon Foundation
1986
article – Taonga source: NZPA

Communing In Silence

Deaf people gatherered near the front of the papal Mass as interpreter Rachel Locker translated for them. She said it was one of the hardest job she had done because of the religious language.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2001
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Loud and clear

The deaf community believes it has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for too long. Now it wants to be seen and heard as a group with its own cultural identity.
2014
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Fewer Kiwis can use sign language

James Whale can speak as well as any 5-year old but sometimes he lets his hand do the talking. The Wellington boy and his family are among the dwindling number of Kiwis who can use NZSL.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1986
article – Taonga source: Zealandia

A capital reception

An interpreter passes on the Pope's message to the deaf during the outdoor Mass at Athletic Park.
1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Ready to lend helping hands to deaf

The class of eight graduates tonight after four months' study learning the variety of sign language used by New Zealand deaf people.
2002
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

In full voice

This fascinating book provides insight into a community about which most people are unaware. This is the world of Deaf culture, of Deaf as an identity, not a disability or deficit – Deaf with a capital D.
1995
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald

Signs from the silent world

Deaf students have the right to equal access to tertiary education but who will pay for sign language interpreters?
1987
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: December 1986 (Vol. 9, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
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.
Rodney Roberts
1987
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times

Getting the deaf off their hands

Auckland film-maker Ann Andrews has embarked on a project that Television New Zealand initially regarded as unpalatable last year She is making a film about deaf people. Anne is allowing the deaf to use their first language – sign language.
1990
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn/Winter 1990 (Vol. 24, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Tony Walton
1987
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Communicating from a silent world

Jenny Griffiths, the mother of two profoundly deaf children, talks about communicating with them in Total Communication.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1996
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: March 1996

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Spring 1997

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell