
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Ngaire Doherty
Saynab Muse, a Tu Kokiri student interviews Ngaire Doherty, ex-President of Auckland Deaf Society at the Balmoral clubroom.

NZSL Stories


2011
article – Taonga source: Capital Times
A sign of communication
It's one of NZ's official languages yet still a mystery to most of us; the sign language used by the Deaf community. As part of Deaf Awareness Week, we asked Kerry Locker-Lampson about being an interpreter.






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.


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.





2015
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Pen: Manawatu Deaf Society 50th Anniversary, 1962-2012







2013
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2013


2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
NZSL has become an integral part of Coffee Educators
Not long after opening Co-Ed Cafe and the associated training school, Claire Matheson began running courses for students of Newlands College Deaf Unit. NZSL is now used in meetings and training, and they have menus in sign language.






2018
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2018 (Vol. 40, No. 1)







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.





Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Mixed Doubles – 8 Ball Pool







2017
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 2017




2011
video – Taonga source: Jared Flitcroft
Our Second Home: Wellington Deaf Club
The Wellington Deaf Club is a place where Deaf and hearing alike go to relax, take a break from the ‘outside’ world and communicate in a language that is loud. Jared Flitcroft explores why the Deaf Club is their second home and the cultural aspect of being Deaf in a ‘hearing’ world.








Est. 1938
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society is the heart of the Wellington Deaf Community. Established on 30 July 1938, has moved a couple of times since its formation, from gatherings at people's places, leased halls and buildings, meet-ups at different pubs, to a co-owned building at 17 Bannister Ave, Johnsonville, Wellington – where it is now.


2011
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand: New Zealand National Anthem in NZSL, Maori & English
In NZSL with subtitles in Māori and English; created in collaboration with native speakers of NZSL, Māori & English, and sign language linguists from the Deaf community, with the purpose to create a NZSL translation that was true to the meaning behind the Māori & English lyrics.









Est. 1962
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Manawatu Deaf Society
SignDNA is grateful to the Manawatu Deaf Society who have donated a large collection of films, recorded and edited by Joan Bailey, its founder. Established in 1962, it was originally named the Manawatu Deaf Sports Club. Later it was changed to the Manawatu Deaf Society.


2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Jeff Went
Jeff Went talks about his involvement with Deaf sports and the 1989 World Deaf Games in Christchurch where he volunteered as an ‘international interpreter’ doing 12 hour days over 12 days!





NZSL Stories


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.





Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Heaviest Snapper of Year





NZSL Stories


2018
video – Taonga source: Darryl Alexander
The Making of an NZSL Friendly School
The Making of a NZSL Friendly School follows Andre, who began as a new entrant at the school in 2016, and the journey of his teachers, classmates and wider school community in learning NZSL and incorporating it into school curriculum.




2010
Object – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Framed Memorabilia: Mary Johnson and her MNZM medal, awarded 2010




2011
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2011 (Vol. 33, No. 1)







2014
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: May 2014




2017
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2017 (Vol. 39, No. 3)







2017
Images – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf Rugby
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby v England Deaf Rugby, 2017




2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
The Deaf Rugby Team: Part Two
Leading into the biggest competition of the year, we get to know more about some of the players in the Marlins, Auckland’s Deaf Rugby team; Opeti the family man, Talia the bodybuilder, Sailusi who wants a job and David who is a first-time dad.






Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Fishing Trips: Funny Story







2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
The Deaf Toolbox: Making it on the Marae
At some stage in your life you may find yourself on a marae. We’ve put together some helpful tips in NZSL so you’ll feel right at home!






2015
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Pen: Manawatu Deaf Indoor Bowls Club – 40th Anniversary, 1975-2015







2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 1)





NZSL Stories


2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Susie Ovens
A Tu Kokiri student interviews Susie Ovens on her involvement with the infamous Deaf Sign Singers group.





NZSL Stories










