Verna McRae is filmed at her home in Napier alongside her husband, John. Verna talks entertainingly about her life growing up on a Manawatu farm, going to Sumner School for the Deaf, work, travelling, and married life.
Ex-pupils talk about their memories and tell stories about St Dominic’s at the 60th reunion in Feilding, during Waitangi Weekend in 2004.
Māori Deaf participating in a hīkoi (protest march) in support of Māori claims of ownership of the New Zealand foreshore and seabed.
Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon, recorded on 27 June 2000. They were both foundation members of Manawatu Deaf Society – founded on 7 July 1962. Keith was awarded life membership of Manawatu Deaf Society on 16 December 2000.
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.
Queer Nation meets a sporty lesbian with nimble fingers. Lorraine talks about her identity, involvement with Deaf sports, performing and access, emphasising that Deaf people are really no different from hearing people.
This raw, edited footage consists of interviews with Whiti Ronaki, Michael Wi and Stephanie Awheto - a trilingual interpreter, on topics relevant in the Māori Deaf world.
The New Zealand Deaf athletes are welcomed back home at the Auckland Airport! New Zealand sent a team of 13 players and officials to the 2009 Taipei Summer Deaflympics. Michael Lynch won gold for karate, with Kerry Titcombe also obtaining bronze in karate.
Footage and interviews from the final Friday night at Deaf Club at Auckland Deaf Society before its long-awaited re-development in 2006.
Auckland Deaf Society President Kevin Pivac gives a tour of the Club’s building prior to its demolition and rebuild.
The Wellington Deaf Youth Group organizes the 3rd National Deaf Youth Camp – a five-day camp in Hastings. The theme of the camp is UNITY.
The Northern Deaf womens’ team wins the third sevens tournament, comfortably beats Central 60-0 and Southern 34-0. Southern beats Central 34-5.
Footage of the 2nd National Deaf Youth Camp was during 25 September to 30 September 2006, with 50 participants. The event was organised by Christchurch Deaf Youth Club which was set up after the 1st National Deaf Youth Camp.
On an Easter Friday afternoon, 22 April 2000, for the first time in history the National Deaf Women’s Seven Tournament was played between the Southern and Central teams at the Canterbury Rugby League Stadium.
Shaun Fahey, a Deaf artist, talks about illustrating signs for the NZSL Dictionary, and what life was like for a young Shaun growing up in Christchurch under the rule of oralism.
Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.
Greg talks about his passion - Deaf sports, and why the Southern Deaf sport teams are superior to their Central and Northern counterparts!
Ava Buzzard talks about commuting to school via her father’s motorbike, home signs, signing and oralism, and the next generation of signers.
John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
Ava Buzzard talks about life growing up in Christchurch, her hobbies, moving to Auckland as well as her children and their educational upbringing.
Patreena Bryan (also known as Pat, with her sign name being TAP – a play on her name) is filmed at AUT talking to NZSL interpreting students. Married with two sons, Patreena talks about her schooling days at Titirangi and her involvement with the Deaf community.
The opening of the Advance Centre, a tertiary support centre for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Auckland region, attended by Hon Ruth Dyson, Minister for Disability Issues, and Patrick Thompson - Māori Deaf leader.
In an open and touching interview, Ivan and Hilda tell their tales of growing up in New Zealand, and look back on photos from their deaf schooling years.
Insight into the preparations that go into a powhiri onto Rūaumoko Marae, and rare footage of the powhiri itself, followed by an interview with Patrick Thompson.
The Manawatu Deaf community thanks Terry O’Brien for his service as a Teacher of the Deaf. Terry taught for over 30 years at Freyberg High School in Palmerston North which had a Deaf Unit that St Dominic’s pupils often went on to attend.
Raw footage of an interview with Patrick Thompson attempting to connect with a Māori culture he was denied growing up. Patrick provides a voice for Māori Deaf, to grow understanding about the challenges they face, and to promote the importance of NZSL.
Susan Thomas talks about her many life experiences, love of sports, and what it was like to work on ‘News Review’ as a Deaf presenter in the late 1980s.
Kathleen French, Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ and a life member of Auckland Deaf Society celebrates her 90th birthday party at the Balmoral clubroom on 24 May 2003 with approximately 140 people attending.
DeafTV from Denmark makes a trip to New Zealand to feature the country and its Deaf community on its ‘International Postcard’ series, with scenes from a normal Friday night at the Deaf Club, a trip to the Deaf Association office. The Deaf Danish crew are also welcomed onto the Rūaumoko Marae.
Kathleen French was often called the ‘Auckland Deaf Grandmother’ due to her long and pioneering life in the Auckland Deaf Community. In this video Kathleen talks about her colourful life and talks us through some photos at the end.
The Auckland Deaf Society Netball team celebrates their 25th Jubilee in April, 2000.
Inside Out features the inaugural World Deaf Rugby Championship, including coverage of the final between New Zealand and Wales at Eden Park, Auckland in 2002.
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.
Owen Gibbons shares some life experiences in this video shot at his home in Auckland. Using various photographs and props, Owen touches on his many Deaf related involvements and memories, including his times at Deaf school, his working life, his passion for Deaf sports and his family.
Unedited footage of Patrick Thompson’s ‘Te Hēteri’ interview at the famed Star Sign Cafe on Auckland’s Dominion Road in 2004.
Māori TV's 'Toa Anga Whati Māori' profiles the Deaf Association of New Zealand on its weekly program, interviewing a series of Deaf people in sports (golf, touch rugby, rugby) before touching upon the job of a Deaf Awareness Officer who delivers training throughout New Zealand.
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.
A 43-minute documentary taking you through the history of Auckland Deaf Society, the second home of the Deaf community of Auckland.
The 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth camp (APDYC) held at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Turangi is featured on ‘Inside Out’. Altogether, there were 43 Deaf youths from 12 countries, 15 youth leaders, 10 interpreters and a couple of guest speakers.
The Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club celebrate their ‘Golden’ Anniversary, their 50th anniversary, at the ADS Balmoral clubrooms where people share their memories of being involved in the basketball club.
Wānanga held in 2001, involving both Deaf and hearing Māori, focusing on NZSL skills, learning about community and culture as well as socialising and having fun.
Auckland Deaf Society, about to close for a total building redevelopment, hosts a final social event: a Mardi Gras at the Deaf Club.
A Deaf bowling legend, Barry Kinnaird was well known for his indoor and outdoor bowling achievements, participating in many New Zealand opens, Deaf Conventions and international competitions.
Raw footage of an interview with solo mother Joanne Klaver, attempting to connect with a Māori culture she was denied growing up, and one of her two sons, Charles, who is also Deaf.
A look at the work of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf, presented by Judy Bailey.
The MDS Xmas party on 16 December 2000 is an opportunity to reveal its new trophy cupboard at the far left-hand corner of the clubroom.
Marlene Rush was the 20th Deaf student to enrol at St Dominics School for the Deaf in 1946. Marlene looks back on her life and involvement with the Deaf community.
A snapshot of the inaugural 2002 Deaf Rugby World Championships held in Auckland, briefly touching on official matches, friendly games, and two social evenings at Auckland Deaf Club, with speeches galore!
This segment from Māori TV’s Te Hēteri focuses on the experiences of Māori Deaf, catching up with Patrick Thompson, Whiti Ronaki, and Hemi Hema.
Footage and interviews from the opening night of the newly redeveloped Auckland Deaf Society clubrooms late August 2007.
John and Laura discuss their eventful lives, including immigrating to New Zealand, meeting the local Deaf community, and how their meeting led to a marriage which at the time of filming had lasted 56 years!
Deaf protest against shutting down the Advance Centre, a tertiary support centre for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Auckland region.
A compilation of various footage where Wallace’s friends speak about their memories of Wallace including footage of Wallace at Auckland Deaf Society events.
The Manawatu Deaf Netball Club celebrates 25 years of netballing adventures in June 2001 with stories, photos and even a cake!
Inside Out produces a programme about New Zealand Sign Language, its value to the Deaf community as well as its artistic forms.
Manawatu Deaf Society celebrates its 40th anniversary with a packed weekend-long programme in September 2002.
The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!
Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.
The ‘007’ themed Miss and Mr Deaf New Zealand event, expertly hosted by Victoria Skorikova and Tony Walton was a major fundraising event for the 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth Camp. It was organised in 5 weeks and raised $7,000 towards camp costs.
Born in Mumbai, India where his parents ran a tea farm, John Peterson shares his life story at his home in the Eddowes Pensioner Village, at Balmoral, next to Auckland Deaf Society. Filmed on 3 August 2003.
Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.
Weekend celebrations are kickstarted with a Māori Deaf kapa haka group to perform a haka powhiri. Vintage teachers such as Les Bury briefly summarise their experiences of working in Deaf education over the years.
TVNZ’s Marae programme features the friendly game between Deaf Māori & Pacific Island Invitational XV and the Japan Deaf Rugby team. It includes the pre-match team talk with coach Richard Peri, karakia from kaumatua Ivan Tamepo, and discussions with assistant Togia Lanefale. It concludes with highlights of the match which was closely fought but finally won by Japan 20-17.
The 1st National Deaf Youth Camp – April 2005 at Finlay Adventure Park, Cambridge – was supported and organised by DEAFinitely Youth Group (DYG). It was founded in 2000 to host the 2nd Asia-Pacific Deaf Youth Camp, and it went on to support the 1st NDYC with 25 participants and 5 different workshops.
A montage celebrating Wallace Williams’ life and his contribution to the Auckland Deaf community.
Michael Lynch and Kerry Titcombe won karate medals when they competed in the Deaflympics in Taiwan (gold and bronze). They are both interviewed on the grounds of Kelston Deaf Education Centre, along with the President of Deaf Sports New Zealand, Nicki Morrison.
Members somehow manage to find black clothing in their wardrobes and attend a black themed party at MDS. It is also a special evening to award a life membership to Keith Gordon for his contributions over the years.
Extended version: New Zealand play Wales in the Deaf Rugby World Championship final at Eden Park, Auckland in 2002.