2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
After decades of crusading for NZ’s deaf community, Auckland woman honoured as ‘local hero’
The New Zealander of the Year will be announced tonight and as part of it, a number of local heroes have been recognised. One of them is Aucklander Victoria Lessing, who has been deaf her whole life and has spent 20 years raising the profile of NZSL. Two years ago, her passion developed into a company called Merge NZ, which she runs alongside her business partner, Jaime Brown.
2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 2)
2017
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Bringing te reo to deaf Māori
Māori concepts like tikanga, iwi and kaumātua don't exist in English-based sign language. And it means deaf Māori have been deprived of their culture, Hamilton-based interpreter Stephanie Awheto said. But that's changing, albeit slowly.
2011
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2011 (Vol. 33, No. 4)
Est. 2012
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
New Zealand Deaf Games: Men’s Darts Winner
NZSL Stories
2018
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand
Tiki Taane: No Place Like Home in NZSL
A sign-singing version of Bay of Plenty musician Tiki Taane's song ‘No Place Like Home' featured on television and online to mark NZSL Week 2018. It was made from flash mob events held in Wellington, Mount Maunganui and Christchurch in March. Participants in Mount Maunganui joined Tiki in person to sign-sing his latest song.
2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 4)
2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: May 2014
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling Club: Overall High Series (Scratch)
NZSL Stories
2016
article – Taonga source: The Press.
Deaf chef Kristofer Jonsson encourages others to break through barriers
Kristofer Jonsson is a calm and quiet chef, never yelling at anyone in the kitchen, and for good reason – he's deaf. "I focus on the visual side – you can look at the colour, where things are browning."
Est. 1991
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
New Zealand Deaf Sports Association: Dunedin Superstrike, Most Outstanding Player
NZSL Stories
2011
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 18th National Deaf Rugby Inter-Zonal Championships, 2011
2015
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: February 2015
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.
2012
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2012
2016
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Danger for deaf drives campaign
A Northland advocate is behind a campaign to get deaf-friendly fire alarms installed in public buildings, after a deaf university student was left behind during a drill. Whangarei's Kim Robinson, chairman of Deaf Action New Zealand, is driving the petition to make visual fire alarms - similar to what many deaf people have in their homes - mandatory in public buildings.
2015
Images – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf Rugby
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby, Christchurch 14th June 2015
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Heaviest Trevally of Year
NZSL Stories
2013
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2013
Est. 1991
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club: B. Austen Shield, Town vs Country
Est. 2012
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
New Zealand Deaf Games: Women’s Darts Winner
NZSL Stories
2015
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
Yearbook: van Ash Deaf Education Centre, 2015
Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Championship Pairs
NZSL Stories
Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls: Hazelwood Trophy – Pairs
2018
video – Taonga source: Deaf Children New Zealand
NZSL and Us: Zenos Tamihana, Auckland
Zenos Tamihana comes from a large, loving family that cares deeply about his communication needs. He is a lively, happy young boy who loves sports and attends Kelston Primary School in Auckland. Zenos has a teacher who is Deaf herself and uses NZSL in class. Zenos thrives at home and at school largely thanks to full access to language and communication.
2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Deaf and Blind: Being Me Heather
Fifty-nine-year-old Heather Lawson is deaf and blind. She's been through periods of extreme loneliness and isolation, but by becoming independent through orientation and mobility training has helped her to be heard in a world she once felt she wasn’t part of.
Est. 2012
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Aces Poker: Player of the Year
NZSL Stories
2015
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2015 (Vol. 37, No. 1)
2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
2018
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
NZSLTA Hui 2018
The New Zealand Sign Language Teacher's Association Hui in October 2018 was a great weekend of professional development for those that teach, and want to teach NZSL.