HomePublicationsNZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

Some of the items featured in the Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4) issue of ‘New Zealand Deaf News’:

  • The first national meeting for the NZ Sign Language Dictionary was a successful meeting with deaf agreeing on major issues concerning NZSL. NZAD will look at ways to fund the project and get it started. 
  • Sheila Gibbons is awarded ‘Outstanding Deaf Woman of the Year’.
  • The Taranaki Deaf Club is now to be known as the Taranaki Deaf Society Inc. 
  • The New Zealand Deaf Rugby League team will play against Australia in June 1990. Ten players were selected from Auckland, with four from Christchurch and five from Wellington. 
  • John Rua talks about his trip to Japan to present a Pou Pou (carved panel) to Expo 90 which he was involved in carving. 
  • For communication week, a video conference was set up between members of Wellington and Auckland Deaf Societies by Telecom. 
  • South Island VX beat the North Island Deaf XV 17-14, in the first Deaf inter-island rugby fixture since the 1960s, hosted in Wellington. 
  • Deaf Organisations
  • TV/Media

Can you help?

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 1: John’s First Whistle – A Deaf Ref Takes the Field

John shares how he got into rugby league refereeing after approaching a ref at his local Glenora Bears club, where he used to play. His first game was in Manurewa, and both teams were told in advance that the referee was deaf. The match was even filmed, with none other than the Mad Butcher, Peter Leitch, watching from the sidelines keeping a close eye on John. He rose to the challenge. John used clear, sharp signals and wasn’t afraid to use his voice to keep the game moving. He even added some of his own flair – a bold “I’ve had enough!” gesture. He got a big thumbs up from the Mad Butcher and was later picked to referee the final of the season. That same year, he was also given an award for his refereeing.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 4: Flying the Flag as a Deaf Referee

In 1990, John was stunned to be selected as the New Zealand XV referee for an international tour to England and France. He embraced the experience, swapped ties with other referees, and visited the Leeds Deaf Club. England won the match 25 to 11. Later, John passed a refereeing exam to move up a level and went on to officiate another international between New Zealand and France, where France won by just one point. No issues were raised about his performance. He was proud to show that a Deaf referee could do the job just as well as anyone else.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Tony Walton on Building a More Accessible Deaf Aotearoa

Tony reflects on his involvement with the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (now Deaf Aotearoa). In 1989, during the World Deaf Games, New Zealand had only two or three qualified NZSL interpreters – a serious shortage. NZDSA was strongly sign-based, while the NZAD board leaned more oral. After the Games, Tony joined NZAD as a delegate to learn how it worked, eventually becoming President. His focus was on Deaf youth, leading to the creation of Friends of Young Deaf (FYD), better Māori engagement and involvement with more NZSL interpreters. One key goal was to have 13 interpreters nationwide, giving every major town and city access. Interpreter pay and access were limited back then – very different from today.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 3: Making a Statement in Christchurch

In 1986, John moved to Christchurch for work as a supervisor and continued refereeing. He was warmly welcomed into the local rugby league scene and received several awards for his efforts. In one memorable game on the outskirts of Christchurch, a hearing coach was badmouthing John from the sideline. John caught it from the corner of his eye, blew the whistle, and firmly told the coach to be quiet using clear gestures. The coach was stunned that a Deaf referee had spotted it. The crowd erupted in support. After the match, John simply said, “Deaf can do it.”
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Part 2: Refereeing Across Regions – Hawke’s Bay to Wellington

After his time with the Auckland Rugby League Referees Association, John moved to Hawke’s Bay where he continued refereeing while settling into a new job. He quickly adapted to their systems and wasn’t shy about calling out fights or handing out penalties. His gestures were sharp and clear, especially when sending someone to the sin bin for ten minutes. Later, he moved to Wellington where his name was already known. Although there was some hesitation at first, John worked hard to ease concerns and became a popular and respected referee. Clubs often invited him to events, but he kept things modest and only accepted one pint.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

From New Lynn to Avondale: A Necessary Move

Tony served as President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf from 1999 to 2003. At the time, the focus was on supporting Deaf youth – not relocating. But when asbestos was discovered in the ceiling of the New Lynn building, with removal costs estimated at $600,000, a major decision had to be made. With support from a funder willing to underwrite the risk, the building was sold and a new location was secured. The Avondale office officially opened in November 1999.
NZSL story – Taonga source: John Hunt

Establishing the ‘NZ Deaf News’ in 1962

John Hunt's involvement with NZ Deaf News spanned 23 years. Upon moving to New Zealand in 1962, he was surprised to find out that there was no NZ Deaf News at a time where radio and TV (which was inaccessible for Deaf people) were one of the main medium of news. He established the NZ Deaf News publication with a group of 10 people. The first issue was only 8 pages and with donations, the next one was 16 pages. It grew exponentially and was the place to go for Deaf-related news.
Bill (William) Katu
Bill (William) Katu
Eileen Smith
Eileen Smith
Fiona Damm (Smith)
Fiona Damm (Smith)
Glenn Schischka
Glenn Schischka
Helen Williams
Helen Williams
Jennifer Brain (Shearer)
Jennifer Brain (Shearer)
John Hunt
John Hunt
John Rua
John Rua
Kath Smith
Kath Smith
Keith Smith
Keith Smith
Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Lawrence
Kevin Pivac
Kevin Pivac
Linda Prouse
Linda Prouse
Malcolm Ward
Malcolm Ward
Nadia Baradi
Nadia Baradi
Nicki Morrison
Nicki Morrison
Patty (Noeline) Still
Patty (Noeline) Still
Paul Gillespie
Paul Gillespie
Phonse Carroll
Phonse Carroll
Reg Leach
Reg Leach
Rodney Henwood
Rodney Henwood
Roger Strong
Roger Strong
Sheila Gibbons (Claridge)
Sheila Gibbons (Claridge)
Sen (Stewart) Smith
Sen (Stewart) Smith
Wallace Williams
Wallace Williams
Taonga source:
New Zealand Deaf News
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, DN1989-23-4-MJN
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.

If you liked this, you might also like...

1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Jeff Went
  • 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.
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
1993
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Advanced computer data base backs NZ’s first sign language dictionary

Managing editor Professor Graeme Kennedy said the project had developed the most advanced computer database in the world for analysing and recording sign language.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2004
article – Taonga source: Education: The Next Level

Spelling it out for deaf people

Three Christchurch College of Computing Students have joined forces to create material to help the Deaf and hearing impaired, as part of their NCEA Level 3 technology studies.
1995
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

Black magic hat

Shaun Fahey was wearing the right hat when Black Magic won the America's Cup – but he couldn't throw it in the air to celebrate. His hat is actually a replica of the New Zealand boat, 71cm long and 110cm high, complete with seascape, dolphin, buoy, fish and an array of sponsors' stickers.
1997
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

First NZ sign language dictionary

'Wellington' and 'All Black' are just two of hundreds of familiar Kiwi terms – such as Milo, Weetbix, pakeha, Maori and marae – described in A Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language to ve released next week.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1992
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

Dictionary for the language of the deaf

Nearly quarter of a million dollars in sponsorship has been raised for the NZSL dictionary, a joint effort by the University and the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.