
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Archbishop Opens Feilding School for Deaf Children
Erected at a cost of £68,000 and standing in 23 acres of farmland and gardens, St. Dominic's school for the Deaf, at Feilding, was blessed and officially opened this afternoon by Archbishop T.B. McKeefry, Metropolitan of New Zealand.



1959
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Kelston School for the Deaf (1959)
Annual Parent’s Day at Kelston School for the Deaf, with rides (horses, fire tank and alike!), performances and end-of-year prizes.









1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Deaf Societies Sports Convention, Wellington 1958
Deaf Aucklanders make their way down to Wellington in a van for the Labour Weekend sports. Stopping on the way, they prepare for a day of sports and socialising.







NZSL Stories






Est. 1922
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf Society of Canterbury
The Deaf Society of Canterbury is New Zealand’s oldest Deaf Club, established in the mid 1920s. It has provided the inspiration for the development of other clubs around the country, including Auckland. Dennis Tod and Sue Penman have done a great job of rounding up some of the films from the Canterbury Deaf community.


1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Picnic at Waihora Park Domain
Participants in the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Deaf Societies have a full-day picnic at Waihora Park Domain, in Motukarara with plenty of races!







NZSL Stories


1959
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Laurie Schischka takes his boat ‘Rambler’ out on the Hauraki Gulf
A group of Deaf friends are treated to a boat trip in the Hauraki Gulf on a boat called “Rambler”, owned by Laurie Schischka.







1951
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Christchurch Deaf men with (and on) their bicycles
Black and white footage of a group of Christchurch Deaf men with their bicycles chatting to the camera excitedly before riding on the road, and signing at the same time!







1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Annual Sports Day at Mt Wellington
Annual school sports day at the large grounds at Mt Wellington, with the school surrounded by farmland. The Titirangi children travelled to Mt Wellington by buses. Mt Wellington closed once the Kelston hostel block opened in 1960.







NZSL Stories


1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Arriving for the Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952
Members of the Auckland Deaf community welcome friends and competitors from nationwide for the annual Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, and take a trip into Auckland City.








NZSL Stories


Est. 1959
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Graded Pairs








NZSL Stories


1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee
The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!









Est. 1938
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Adult Society Challenge Cup: Table Tennis








NZSL Stories


1959
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf Marching Girls
The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.









1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW INSTITUTION AT FEILDING OPENED AND BLESSED
Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A.A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic's School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon.





NZSL Stories


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Foundation Stone Ceremony
The foundation stone ceremony for the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre 1958.







NZSL Stories


1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society
There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.










1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf hosts its annual Christmas party
Deaf students dress up and parade around the back of Titirangi School for the Deaf at its annual Christmas party.







NZSL Stories


1951
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Day trip to Helensville Hot Pools
A group of Deaf people make a trip to the Helensville Hot Pools 1951.







1956-57
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Kelston School for Deaf: Clearing of the Ground and Construction
Students from the Titirangi School for the Deaf visit the construction site of the future Kelston School for the Deaf.







NZSL Stories


Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society McRae Cup: The All Round Indoor Sports










1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Additions To School For The Deaf: Opened At Fielding By Archbishop McKeefry
A great step forward in what is a unique work of Christian charity and education in New Zealand was taken last Sunday, November 28, with its opening. The additions to the school consist of a splendid new block providing classrooms and dormitories.







1951
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Picnic at Duders Beach
Auckland Deaf community hold their annual picnic at Duders Beach, 1951.





NZSL Stories


1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Where are the deaf children?
This footage appears to be an early attempt in creating an educational filming activity for deaf children at Titirangi School for the Deaf.







NZSL Stories


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
School for the Deaf pupils visit Auckland Zoo
Deaf pupils visit Auckland Zoo and enjoy group rides on an elephant at the zoo.







NZSL Stories


1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves
We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.








NZSL Stories


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Laying foundations at Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre
A group of Deaf men busily work on laying the foundations for the new Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, later to become the property of the Auckland Deaf Society.







NZSL Stories


1954
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf Table Tennis Team, Winners New Zealand Deaf Societies Table Tennis Shield, 1954


NZSL Stories


1949-1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Rosette: Auckland Adult Deaf Society, worn at Sport Conventions








NZSL Stories






Est. 1937
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Auckland Deaf Society
Established in 1937, Auckland Deaf Society (ADS) is New Zealand’s largest (and second oldest) Deaf Club. Previously called the 'Auckland Adult Deaf Society' and the 'Deaf Welfare Centre', the club’s original home was at an old shop on 47 Parnell Road in Auckland, before moving to 164 Balmoral Road with enormous support from the 'Friends of the Deaf'. Auckland Deaf Society is now located at 16 Hillsborough Road.


1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW ST. DOMINIC’S SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF OPENING IN FEILDING: Over 3000 Attended Ceremony Yesterday
Over 3000 people flocked to St. Dominic's School for the Deaf yesterday afternoon to hear the Catholic Prelate, His Grace Archbishop P.T.B. McKeefry, bless the new building and officially open it.















