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.
2019
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
New Year Honours: Whangārei’s Kim Robinson, MNZM, deaf community advocate
A trip to the United States in 1990 gave Whangārei man Kim Robinson extra motivation to seek better and equal access for the deaf community in New Zealand. Now, that commitment to ensuring deaf people are heard and their needs met has seen him made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the deaf community in the New Year's Honours List.
NZSL Stories
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Best Man Angler of the Year
NZSL Stories
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Heaviest Trevally of Year
NZSL Stories
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Best Lady Angler of Year
NZSL Stories
2019
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 26th National Deaf Rugby Inter-Zonal Championship, 2019
2019
article – Taonga source: Nelson Mail.
Alarm at cuts in support services for Nelson deaf community
Members of Nelson's deaf community say cutbacks in support services from Deaf Aotearoa have left them without access to crucial interpreting help, leaving some in vulnerable situations.
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
The Watercooler: Deaf Edition
Three Deaf panelists talk about their experiences in communication, schooling, and work. Facilitated by a Deaf MC with interpreted voice over these hilarious, heartwarming experiences give an insight into the Deaf community.
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Ladies Singles – Pool
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Society: Stirrer of the Year
2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Travelling with sign language
Last week we met the Fergusons, a family of five who communicate using NZSL. Here, we join the Fergusons on their trip of a lifetime attending the World Federation of the Deaf Congress — in Paris.
Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Fishing Trips: Funny Story
2019
article – Taonga source: Stuff
New Zealand’s two deaf education centres to merge
New Zealand's two deaf education centres will become one next year as Kelston Deaf Education Centre and van Asch Deaf Education Centre merge from Term 3, 2020.
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Society Social Club: Skeet Clay Shooting – Interclub
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of Owen Gibbons
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.
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.
2016
article – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Today
Past pupils to reunite 50th Anniversary of the Onekawa School Deaf Unit
This weekend past and present pupils of Onekawa School will be coming together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Onekawa School Deaf Unit. From March 22 to March 25, ex-pupils and friends of the Onekawa deaf unit will meet in Hawke's Bay to remember their schooling experiences, share stories and visit the site of the old unit.
NZSL Stories
Est. 2011
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Poker Championship
NZSL Stories
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Record Kahawai of Year
NZSL Stories
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
Interview: Jamie Brown from Merge NZ talks about the impacts and benefits of learning NZSL
Jaime Brown, Merge NZ Co-Director, learned NZSL and didn't just find a language, but a community and a passion. Seecus talks to Jaime about the impacts NZSL has had for her and the benefits of learning sign language.
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Heaviest Snapper of Year
NZSL Stories
Est. 2003
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Hawkes Bay Deaf Club Shield: Achievement of the Year
NZSL Stories
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
The Watercooler: Deaf Youth edition
Deaf Youth in New Zealand sharing experiences and stories from their lives.
biography
Profile
Susan Hamilton
Susan was a very active sportswoman who loved being involved in the Deaf community, regularly attending all community events. A renowned Deaf golfer who could be found out on the green each Saturday, Susan was also the President of the Deaf Association from 1994 to 1998 and its Patron from 2008 to 2016.
Est. 1880
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; formerly Sumner School for the Deaf then van Asch School for the Deaf). The school has a long and illustrious history, with its services covering a huge geographical spread. Established in 1880, van Asch was the oldest special school establishment in New Zealand and also believed to be the oldest fully government funded residential school in the world. van Asch celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2005. It merged with Kelston Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.
2019
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard.
Deaf woman helps others learn sign language over a pint
Candice David was only 3 when she lost her hearing. Now, she's helping others learn her only form of communication, NZSL. Candice was at Palmerston North bar Brew Union on Sunday, offering free NZSL tutorials to all patrons.
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Owen Gibbons
Former Auckland Deaf Society President and life member, Owen Gibbons says that one of his best memories was travelling to the World Deaf Games as part of the New Zealand Deaf basketball mens team. His eyes “literally popped out at what he saw over there!”
NZSL Stories
Est. 1992
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Rūaumoko Marae
Rūaumoko Marae has been part of Deaf Māori community for 30 years and is a central part of Deaf Māori community. It's a place where Deaf Māori can just be; they can connect and learn about te ao Māori.
2020
video – Taonga source: Elizabeth Hines
Memories of triple World Deaf Games champion John Ooteman
New Zealand’s most acclaimed Deaf gold medallist, John Ooteman was a triple World Games for the Deaf champion (Koln 1981, Los Angeles 1985, Christchurch 1989). His story is told through the eyes of Elizabeth Hines, his Deaf sister.
NZSL Stories
1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A Deafening Silence
A ‘Frontline’ documentary that touches upon an on-going topic - Deaf Education - in the Deaf community, not only in New Zealand but worldwide as well. In 2019, the message remains as familiar as it was twenty-five years ago.
