1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 4)
1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1994
2017
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Flashing smoke alarm wakes deaf woman, saves life
Mihiarangi Marsters is living proof smoke alarms save lives. The 71-year-old great-great-grandmother escaped as flames engulfed the kitchen of her Tikipunga home. Deaf since the age of 7, it was the special flashing smoke alarm that woke her and allowed her to grab her 4-year-old great- granddaughter and flee before it was too late.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
2020
article – Taonga source: Waikato Times
Masks causing issues for deaf Waikato man
Wearing a face mask is meant to help slow the spread of Covid-19. But for Tokoroa’s Roger Drower, who is partially deaf, they’ve left him feeling discriminated and isolated.
2017
article – Taonga source: Stuff
St Theresa’s School sets example for NZSL friendly schools
A Porirua school is being heralded as a great example of inclusive education. St Theresa's School in Plimmerton is the focus of a new short documentary by van Asch Deaf Education Centre, which will be used as a resource to show how to effectively integrate deaf education and culture into schools.
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
The experiences of Māori Deaf
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.
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Hunga Turi: Māori Deaf have their first accessible stay on a marae
‘Te Karare’ was present to witness members of the Māori Deaf community have their first accessible stay on Kokohinau marae.
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1999
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Early 1989: News Review of local and world events
News Review segment focusing on New Zealand and world news including the collapse of a New Zealand company ‘Equiticorp’, an accident at a nuclear reactor in USA, Prime Minister David Lange discussing record high unemployment figures, as well as an earthquake in Russia, among other updates.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1992
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf man misses out on winning a car, claims discrimination
Holmes investigates the case of Wallace Williams, an Auckland Deaf man claiming he is being discriminated against. He won a contest at Hunters Plaza in Auckland for a car but was unable to claim the prize at the time because he could not hear the announcement that he was the winner.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1992
1985
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
First sign language interpreting course
An insight into the teaching and learning of those involved in the first sign language interpreting course in New Zealand 1985.
2016
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf Auckland University student left alone during fire drill
A deaf student has been left feeling hurt after he was cast aside and forgotten about following a fire drill in a university building. Had it been a proper fire emergency, he would have been in serious danger, he said and wanted to see strobe light alarms installed.
1992
video – Taonga source: Sue Williams
The Remand of Ivan Curry
A documentary outlining the case of Ivan Curry who, in 1988, was arrested and tried for the murder of his baby nephew. The documentary explores the case and in particular the plight of Ivan Curry who was remanded without bail for 15 months awaiting trial, as well as the difficulty Deaf people face navigating the justice system.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 3)
2015
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Uber calls for review of NZTA restrictions on deaf drivers
Government rules restricting deaf and hearing impaired people from driving taxis need reviewing, Uber says. The ride hire app, which connects customers with private drivers, has just released an app with new features designed to help drivers with impaired hearing.
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 4)
2012
article – Taonga source: Stuff
New TV assistance for deaf viewers
Deaf and hearing-impaired Kiwis are about to get a lot more choice in what they watch on television thanks to closed captioning being introduced on 10 new channels.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1991
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
News Review covers some difficult topics
Ava Buzzard presents more news in NZSL during the weekly News Review TV show. This segment covered a news report that aired directly after partial coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1993
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
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."
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL interpreting course begins
The first NZSL interpreting course has recently started in Auckland, being led by Drs. David and Rachel McKee. We take a peek at one of their NZSL classes, and Rachel predicts the areas of work graduates will go into.
1986
article – Taonga source: Zealandia
A capital reception
An interpreter passes on the Pope's message to the deaf during the outdoor Mass at Athletic Park.
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.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 2)
2013
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Fire drill at Auckland University an ‘opportunity’ for deaf students
Auckland University's fire drill on Monday left a deaf student feeling forgotten, but could be an opportunity for change, advocates say. Profoundly deaf psychology student Dean Buckley, 21, didn't know about the evacuation until he saw a fire warden yelling at him, minutes after everyone else in his building had fled outside.
2011
article – Taonga source: Timaru Herald
Deaf call for more interpreters
Christchurch's devastating earthquakes changed the lives of many people. Timaru couple Julie Nielson and Paul O'Donnell could finally turn off their television subtitles thanks to the sign language interpreters who stood beside Christchurch mayor Bob Parker as he addressed the public on a daily basis.
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1997
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.
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 4)
1987-91
video – Taonga source: Susan Thomas
News Review – Montage
A collection of clips from the ‘News Review’ programme 1987-1991.
1998
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
First Deaf graduate of Master in Business Administration
Angela Sew Hoy shares her experiences of being the first Deaf graduate of a Master of Business Administration.
2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
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.
2009
video – Taonga source: Sonia Pivac
Deaf protest against Advance Centre closure
Deaf protest against shutting down the Advance Centre, a tertiary support centre for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Auckland region.
2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Unique Wellington school for Deaf students where sign language rules could help more kids, community says
Parents and teachers at a unique school for Deaf students within a school believe more children in Wellington could benefit from the service. And they are calling for a high school to be set up to teach Deaf students across the region.
1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Desperate need in N.Z. for interpreters
Qualified interpreters are desperately needed to cope with the needs of deaf people in New Zealand.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Michael Wi, Māori Deaf
Michael Wi, is profiled on ‘Marae’, where he shares his experience of growing up as Māori Deaf in a paheka-centric education environment, and learning as an adult about tikanga Māori, and marae protocols.
2021
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Deaf community rally for fully funded sign language interpreters at festivals and events
Northland's deaf community are rallying to get sign language interpreters at major events, anniversaries and festivals such as Waitangi Day and Anzac Day commemorations. Deaf Action NZ and Tū Tāngata Turi want the Government to fully fund New Zealand sign language interpreters for formal coverage of events, along with social interpreting throughout the day.
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 2)
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Patrick Thompson discusses upcoming wānanga for Māori Deaf
Patrick Thompson is interviewed on the ‘Marae’ programme, a bilingual Māori and English language current affairs show, about setting up a wānanga to enable Māori Deaf to access te reo Maori and Tikanga Maori.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1993
1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
New Zealand Police Commissioner considers Deaf access to justice
Two weeks after 'The Remand of Ivan Curry' screens on TV1, Police Commissioner John Jamieson meets with Jennifer Brain to work out better procedures for dealing with Deaf people in custody.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: July 1995
2021
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Burger King staff yell and swear at Deaf man ordering dinner for his kids
Barry Kay just wanted to order dinner for his kids at Burger King. The Christchurch builder had written his order in big letters on a piece of paper for the drive-through, as he had done before. But when he handed over his order at the window on Friday, the operator told him to go inside.
1998
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Hearing Dogs for Deaf people sets up in NZ
A new scheme has begun, to train dogs to become hearing dogs for Deaf people, and also aims to have hearing dogs granted the same access rights as guide dogs for blind people.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1987 (Vol. 1 No. 4)
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Sounds or Silence?
In the early 1990s, due to a breakthrough in technology, cochlear implants were starting to become the norm. The Deaf community worldwide viewed cochlear implants as a device that disregarded the need for access to sign language. Others considered such devices a miracle. In 1993, ‘60 Minutes’ investigated this controversial topic in New Zealand.
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1972 (Vol. 9, No. 4)
1989
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1989 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
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.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
News Review now includes ‘hand sign language’
In 1987, News Review became the first New Zealand programme to incorporate NZSL in its production. The show ceased in 1991 and to date, there has not been a similar programme using Deaf presenters or NZSL in full.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1966 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 4)
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
2001
video – Taonga source: Lorraine Butler
Deaf Diversity – Queer Nation
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.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A behind-the-scenes look at the Teletext system
During 'Deafness Awareness Week' in 1995, One Network News runs a news clip that highlights why Teletext is invaluable to the Deaf community. Patreena Bryan shares with us how captions give Deaf people equality.
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1989 (Vol. 23, No. 3)
2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Signing avatar could help Deaf Kiwis order at fast food drive-throughs
Arash Tayebi’s idea to develop sign language avatar technology is personal. And while Kara Technologies is still in the pilot stage, Tayebi hopes the technology will become easier to access as 24/7 teachers or in emergencies.
1986
article – Taonga source: NZPA
Communing In Silence
Deaf people gatherered near the front of the papal Mass as interpreter Rachel Locker translated for them. She said it was one of the hardest job she had done because of the religious language.
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."
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Opening of the Advance Centre
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.
2019
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf children need better access to New Zealand Sign Language to close the education gap
Lack of access to interpreters means deaf children are missing out on education. There are about 3600 children in the deaf education system, of which about 96 per cent attend mainstream schools. There are just three NZSL educational interpreters working full time with students, meaning most children were missing out.
1999
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Mai Time features NZSL!
Mai Time made one of their episodes accessible in NZSL to mark Deaf Awareness Week 1999. KDEC’s sign singing choir and Patrick Thompson made an appearance along with as did Rūaumoko Marae’s kapa haka roopu.
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: Bay of Plenty Times
Deaf couple use sign language to organise building a new house
A new house build can be a challenging time for a young couple. But Gregory and Victoria Lessing are also deaf, and undertook a house build from scratch using NZSL.
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.
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
NZAD Newsletter, November 1993
Jennifer Brain, the President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (NZAD) presents their monthly newsletter in NZSL.
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
NZAD Newsletter, March 1993
Signed version of the NZAD newsletter in March 1993.
2016
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2016
1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1994
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Awareness Week 1996
Deaf Awareness Week 1996 begins, with a spotlight on Des Barton, who finds the latest technology in hearing aids a great improvement. Angela Sew Hoy highlights that the week is aiming to raise awareness about Deaf people, their language and culture.