
1988
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf young actor on ‘Strangers’
'Strangers' was a TVNZ-produced drama series, including one Deaf character played by 7-year-old Sonia Pivac. This short documentary is a brief look behind the scenes of the filming process.



1989
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
National Foundation for the Deaf promotional video
National Foundation for the Deaf produce a promotional video explaining their role and the purpose of their member organisations.


NZSL Stories


2009
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Young girl learns sign language
Twenty-year-old architectural technology student Amanda Cameron can’t help but smile since she’s learnt NZSL.




1992
video – Taonga source: Point of View Productions
‘See What I Mean’
'See What I Mean' presents two real-life stories: the story of a family who were all born Deaf, and a journalist who loses her hearing. It offers positive advice about hearing loss as well as celebrating the New Zealand Deaf community.




Est. 1976
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club: J Withers Cup – Best Player









NZSL Stories


Est. 2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Wallace Williams Memorial Trophy – Comedy









NZSL Stories


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







2000
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Central Zone holds onto the Shield!
Footage of all three men's games of the 2000 National Deaf Rugby Championships at the Canterbury Rugby League Stadium, combined into one clip. Includes pre-match Deaf cheerleading display.




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.




2000
video – Taonga source: Janice and Gary Howard
ADS Netball Club’s 25th Jubilee
The Auckland Deaf Society Netball team celebrates their 25th Jubilee in April, 2000.


NZSL Stories


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





NZSL Stories


1995
video – Taonga source: Allan Richardson
Northern Deaf Youth Camp 1995
Coverage of the participants and activities enjoyed at the 1995 Northern Deaf Youth Camp in Lake Whakamaru, Waikato.



NZSL Stories


2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 2009









NZSL Stories


2019
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf children need better access to New Zealand Sign Language to close the education gap
Lack of access to interpreters means deaf children are missing out on education. There are about 3600 children in the deaf education system, of which about 96 per cent attend mainstream schools. There are just three NZSL educational interpreters working full time with students, meaning most children were missing out.




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)




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.





2001
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Netball Club, 2001









NZSL Stories


2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!
Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.




2014
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2014 (Vol. 36, No. 1)


NZSL Stories


2003
video – Taonga source: DEAFinitely Youth Group
The first Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off!
The first ever Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off in 2003, as a fundraiser for Deaf Youth to attend the WFD Congress in Montreal, Canada.


NZSL Stories


2000
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Women Basketball, 2000









NZSL Stories






2002
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth camp
The 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth camp (APDYC) was held from 12-19 January 2002 at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Turangi. Altogether, there were 43 Deaf youths from 12 countries, 15 youth leaders, 10 interpreters and a couple of guest speakers present.


2005
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2005









NZSL Stories


Est. 1982
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Adrienne Killen Netball Trophy: Most Dedicated Club Member









NZSL Stories


1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
First Test: New Zealand Deaf vs Australia Deaf Netball
The grit! The determination! The hours of practice! Finally it’s game day for the first Deaf Netball New Zealand versus Australia in Manawatu. Watch highlights of the gameplay followed by expert post-match analysis and limbo shenanigans at MDS. Good times.




1998
video – Taonga source: Abbie Twiss
Auckland Deaf Society hosts a Derby Race Night!
An action filled evening at ADS with a Deaf modelling show followed by an Auckland Deaf Drag Queen contest and finally a derby race competition!




1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1998





NZSL Stories


1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1994





NZSL Stories


1996
video – Taonga source: Allan Richardson
Summer Deaf Youth Camp 1996
Comprehensive footage of the participants and activities at the 1996 Summer Deaf Youth Camp in Otaki.



NZSL Stories


2000
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, Winners of ‘The Brian Smithers Cup’ 2000









NZSL Stories












