1985
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
First sign language interpreting course
An insight into the teaching and learning of those involved in the first sign language interpreting course in New Zealand 1985.
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.
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Sounds or Silence?
In the early 1990s, due to a breakthrough in technology, cochlear implants were starting to become the norm. The Deaf community worldwide viewed cochlear implants as a device that disregarded the need for access to sign language. Others considered such devices a miracle. In 1993, ‘60 Minutes’ investigated this controversial topic in New Zealand.
2014
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: February 2014
2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
On 6th April 2006, members of the Deaf community and supporters gathered on the steps of parliament to celebrate the NZSL Bill passing its Third Reading, becoming the NZSL Act (2006). This marked the end of a long journey to give NZSL official status in Aotearoa New Zealand. This footage was screened on TV3 that evening.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
NZSL Stories
2005
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign of the times
Wilton resident David McKee, who has been profoundly deaf by birth, is excited by the prospect of New Zealand sign language becoming the country's third official language saying it would legitimise his mother tongue and acknowledge the fact that deaf community has its own language and culture.
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.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1987 (Vol. 1 No. 4)
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)
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
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring 1997
NZSL Stories
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.
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL interpreting course begins
The first NZSL interpreting course has recently started in Auckland, being led by Drs. David and Rachel McKee. We take a peek at one of their NZSL classes, and Rachel predicts the areas of work graduates will go into.
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)
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
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
1987
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: December 1986 (Vol. 9, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
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.
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?
1985
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
First interpreting course graduation – 1985
The Sign Language Interpreting course graduation ceremony September 1985, after 14 weeks training.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Tee Shirt: INTERPRETER, XI World Games for the Deaf
NZSL Stories
2009
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2009
1990
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn/Winter 1990 (Vol. 24, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Summer 1997
2003
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL dictionary includes te reo Māori
Deaf New Zealanders now have access to te reo Māori vocabulary in the Online Dictionary of NZSL, compiled by Victoria’s Deaf Studies Research Unit.
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
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.