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.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1989 (Vol. 23, No. 3)
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.
2014
video – Taonga source: Ministry of Education
Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice?
A video with six rangatahi communicating their stories of being young Turi Māori (Māori Deaf). The topics they discuss include recognition and acknowledgement of Deaf people in the past, Dame Whina Cooper and the impact of Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
1974
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Successful integration of the deaf depends on community attitudes
If a New Zealand-born person doesn’t speak good English, people are likely to assume such a person is unintelligent. Such an assumption is wrong when the person is born deaf.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 4)
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 2)
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.
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.
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.
2005
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Toa Anga Whati Māori
Māori TV's 'Toa Anga Whati Māori' profiles the Deaf Association of New Zealand on its weekly program, interviewing a series of Deaf people in sports (golf, touch rugby, rugby) before touching upon the job of a Deaf Awareness Officer who delivers training throughout New Zealand.
2017
video – Taonga source: AUT Sign Language Section
Deaf Health Stories in NZSL
This project explores the experiences of Deaf New Zealanders in accessing healthcare and health information. 40 Deaf people from around New Zealand share their stories about barriers in this setting as well as strategies they have used in advocating for their right to access information, communication, and make informed decisions.
2015
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: February 2015
1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology
An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
1989
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
National Foundation for the Deaf promotional video
National Foundation for the Deaf produce a promotional video explaining their role and the purpose of their member organisations.
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Specialist in deaf education on NZ visit
From the day a child is diagnosed as being profoundly deaf, he should learn the system of "total communication," advocates Australian educationist Mr Brian Reynolds.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
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.
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.
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.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 4)
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1993
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Pat’s deafness helps others
The new field officer for the deaf, Pat says “…deaf people are not morons.”
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
2012
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Deaf Politician Mojo Mathers
Mojo Mathers is New Zealand's first Deaf Member of Parliament. She's using her position to advocate on disability, but she's battled her own prejudices.
2006
video – Taonga source: Handmade Productions Aotearoa
Sign of the Times: The Story of New Zealand’s Visual Language
In April 2006, New Zealand Parliament declared NZSL to be an official language - the culmination of a 20-year battle by the deaf community, and a true hallmark in the recognition of their native language. 'Sign of the Times' is about the deaf New Zealanders who fought to have their language recognised as a real language and as a viable means of communication. The film documents the community's celebration of the official recognition of their language and looks at the community's ongoing hopes and aspirations for their language and culture.
1978
article – Taonga source: The Daily News
Deaf protest TV licences
Fifty deaf people registered a silent protest outside the Auckland Magistrate’s Court yesterday about what they say is the subtle discrimination of New Zealand against deaf people.
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.
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.
2014
video – Taonga source: Ministry of Education
Acknowledgements – Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice?
An acknowledgement to all the team who helped make the Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice? exhibition possible. Ko Wai Au is an exhibition empowering Māori rangatahi who identify as Deaf to communicate with others leading to a wider understanding of aspirations as young Deaf Māori.
2011
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Special votes win deaf MP a seat
Mojo Mathers' rise to Parliament has been labelled a success not just for the Green Party, but also for the New Zealand deaf community.
1990-91
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring/Summer 1990/91 (Vol. 24. No. 2)
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1999
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1967 (Vol. 4, No. 3)
1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Listener
Communication
Whakatane teacher Ruth Gerzon looks at some of the problems facing the deaf, in particular the controversy on how they should be taught.
2011
video – Taonga source: Asia Downunder
I’m Deaf, Let’s Talk
Meet Karishma Mohan, one of the faces of NZSL Week 2011. Here, we get a glimpse of Karishma's life – both home, work and socially. She is studying to become a teacher with a practicum at Kelston Deaf Education Centre's pre-school.
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.
2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Using sign language as a family
The Fergusons are an average family of five who have fun, sometimes fight but mostly get along. The main difference is that three of them are deaf, and NZSL is the first language for the whole family. How does this work in a busy household with two teens and a toddler? We spend a few days with the Fergusons and discover it works remarkably well. Especially for the eldest Zoe who is exploring advocating for New Zealand deaf youth.
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.
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
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.