
1986
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Silent Communication
Week in, week out, Linda's hands flutter expressively about events from the spectrum of human existence: funerals, trade union meetings, church services, antenatal classes, court cases, visits to doctor and lawyer.
NZSL Stories


1981
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Pennant: XIV World Games for the Deaf, Cologne, Germany 1981



NZSL Stories


1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Early 1989: News Review of local and world events
News Review segment focusing on New Zealand and world news including the collapse of a New Zealand company ‘Equiticorp’, an accident at a nuclear reactor in USA, Prime Minister David Lange discussing record high unemployment figures, as well as an earthquake in Russia, among other updates.




Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Netball Club: Most Improved





1981
article – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Games Loss ‘A Blow’ For Deaf Team
New Zealand athletes who took part in the World Deaf Games in Cologne arrived home unhappy about losing their bid to host the 1985 Deaf Games in Christchurch.



NZSL Stories


Est. 1970
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Aotearoa Turi Shield: Total Points – New Zealand Deaf Games/Sports Convention










NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Advertisement: 120,000 cheers
National Provident is proud to be the sole sponsor of the New Zealand team contesting the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.
NZSL Stories


Est. 1974
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Barkla Cup, Women’s Doubles










NZSL Stories


1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Winners of Oxspring Shield (Athletics), 1981










NZSL Stories


Est. 1965
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Snooker Championships










NZSL Stories


1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Cricket in silence
Wayne Riggs (Wellington) beats Shaun Ruffel (Taranaki) to the wicket in a practice game by members of the Central District Deaf Sports team before the Saturday match against an Australian deaf team.


1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers at Telethon 1981
The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.



NZSL Stories


1988
video – Taonga source: Tony Clews
First Deaf rugby league game between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney
Historic first rugby league game between New Zealand and Australia, which took place in Sydney 1988 (Henson Park, Newton). Australia won 16–6.


NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
‘Real’ sign language studied
Deaf people have evolved a sophisticated language which is little understood by hearing people and is officially ignored, according to American linguist Marianne Collins-Ahlgren.


1981
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf worker soon calms the nerves
Wellington has a new worker among the deaf. Pat Dugdale, profoundly deaf, has been made field officer by the New Zealand Association of the Deaf. Her job is to provide personal social service help and to liaise with organisations, welfare agencies, commercial institutions and lawyers on behalf of the deaf.
NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Italians win volleyball
The New Zealand volleyball team was missing its top five players when it came up against the Italians in its first match in the World Games for the Deaf. New Zealand went down to the more experienced Italians, 3-0, failing to score any points.
NZSL Stories


Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Drawn Pairs










NZSL Stories


1984
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
St Dominic’s School for the Deaf 40th Anniversary Reunion
Footage from the 40th Anniversary of St Dominic’s school for the Deaf in Feilding held in June of 1984. This video shows a tour of the school grounds, welcoming speeches to attendees and the celebrations that follow over the weekend.





1980s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Basketball Singlet: Manawatu Deaf Society Men’s Basketball





1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Born Free’
The Sign Singers perform the song 'Born Free' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in June 1982.



NZSL Stories


Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Club: T.G. Kane Cup – Women’s Double










NZSL Stories


1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Deaf people CAN lead a ‘normal’ life….
– and Val Jillings and her deaf family prove it! This is Deaf Awareness Week – so the Quota Club of Auckland will hold week-long displays, video films and discussions in the city’s Downtown Walkway and Centrecourt.


1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
First record falls in swimming
New Zealand swimmers Kathryn Olsson and Anva Cosgrove made their first appearance in the pool in the 100m freestyle. They finished fifth in their respective heats and failed to make the finals.
NZSL Stories


1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Social Evening: Wrapping up the 32nd NZ Games for the Deaf
The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf wrapped up with a presentation dinner-and-dance evening at Addington Raceway’s ‘Twiggers’ on Sunday 25th October 1987. A jam-packed evening with plenty of talking, sitting down, a buffet meal, dancing to live music, and group photos, with the venue closing 1.30am!


NZSL Stories


1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club: Waitemata Basketball Assn – Winter ‘B’ Grade Championship, 1980










NZSL Stories






Est. 1980s
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The Sign Singing Superstars
Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.


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










NZSL Stories


1982
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Sports convention for the deaf
Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing. That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year.
NZSL Stories


1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 3)





Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Honour Board: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club – Founded 1960










NZSL Stories















