2021
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald.
Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga urges Māori to turn their hand towards trilingual interpreter roles
Northland sign language tutor Eddie Hokianga has taken up the task of ensuring the region's deaf Māori community is heard. Hokianga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou) has spent the last three years teaching te reo sign language to help fill a national void of interpreters fluent in the discourse.
2022
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Mug: Manawatu Deaf Society’s 60th Anniversary, 1962-2022
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Johnston Cup: Best Basketball Player
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.
Est. 2010
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Fishing Trips: Funny Story
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling Club: Overall High Series (Scratch)
NZSL Stories
2024
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Souvenir Mug: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club’s 60th Anniversary
NZSL Stories
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.
2021
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Treated like a criminal’: Deaf traveller’s ‘terrible experience’ returning to New Zealand
A Deaf woman is calling for airlines and airports to better equip staff to communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing travellers after a “terrible experience” returning to New Zealand from Rarotonga that made her feel she was being “treated like a criminal”.
2023
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
‘Here I can be myself’: Language Days a boost for Northland’s deaf and hard-of-hearing children
“Here I can be myself.” That’s how 17-year-old Northlander Naomi Ngawati sums up the Language Days (organised by Ko Taku Reo) she’s been attending since she was a child.
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Men’s Singles – Pool
2022
video – Taonga source: Māori Television
Deaf filmmaker aspires to make TV series in sign language
A turi (deaf) filmmaker hopes to create a TV series entirely in NZSL to showcase the language to the world. Jared Flitcroft (Ngāti Maniapoto) enjoys telling stories from all kinds of people and perspectives but says stories from the Māori deaf community are imperative.
2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!
Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society’s Most Popular Member of the Year
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.
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.
2020
article – Taonga source: Stuff
I feel included’: How press briefings with NZSL are making a difference
For many people in the Deaf community, the coronavirus pandemic was the most they had ever seen their language on television. But its meant more than simply accessing information – it includes the Deaf community in conversations.
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
What it’s like doing the Oxfam Trailwalker when you’re Deaf
The first time Monica Leach took part in the Oxfam Trailerwalker was with a group of hearing friends. Leach, who is Deaf and uses NZSL, found it difficult to communicate with the team. But last weekend, her team Deaf Power Walk completed it in Taranaki as an all-Deaf team.
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Ladies Singles – Pool
2021
article – Taonga source: Nelson Mail.
Face masks creating anxiety and stress in the Deaf community
Stress and anxiety is bubbling in the Deaf community as it struggles to communicate with the public through face masks. They were “struggling” at the supermarket because they relied on lipreading to communicate. “Masks are creating a bit of a problem."
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Meredith Karim can listen and speak, but she thinks in sign language
Meredith Karim was just five months old when she started using NZSL to communicate. She was born a hearing child to deaf parents, often known by the acronym CODA. She says while most people have a voice talking in their heads expressing their thoughts, she visualises hers in NZSL.
2023
article – Taonga source: Woman’s Day
Erica Dawson’s sign language battle ‘We’re nothing to be afraid of’
"There's still a lot of barriers for deaf people in this country," says Erica, who lost her hearing when she was six months old. "We face all sorts of challenges that hearing people take for granted, such as finding interpreters to help us with schoolwork or meetings at work."
2020
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Inside Outside: Rachel Berry
Rachel Berry lives with her flatmates in Christchurch, where they’re often out exploring. Three out of four in their house are Deaf, so at home they use NZSL.
2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf community to be consulted on NZSL Act but advocate fears they will be ignored
The first NZSL-led consultation to amend current legislation has opened, but advocates fear their advice will be ignored.
2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia
Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa
This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)
Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Society Social Club: Skeet Clay Shooting – Interclub
2024
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Souvenir Coaster: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club’s 60th Anniversary
NZSL Stories
Est. 1964
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
It all began on the 21st of March 1964. A group of deaf adults from Napier and Hastings got together to form the Hawkes Bay Deaf Club. Soon after, others from as far away as Wairoa and Waipukurau soon joined in as well. There were over 20 members in 1964.
2022
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week: Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga
Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga was on a troubled trajectory in life until he got his hands on te reo and connected with his Māori culture. Hokianga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou) and Kim Robinson of Deaf Action New Zealand are delivering a groundbreaking initiative in the form of an eight-week course to be held, ideally, across 20 Northland marae.
2023
article – Taonga source: The Northland Age
Sign of the times: Teaching of New Zealand’s third official language growing ‘bigger and better’
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania may be the best-known Far North face learning NZSL, but he’s in growing company.