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.
2000
video – Taonga source: Janice and Gary Howard
ADS Netball Club’s 25th Jubilee
The Auckland Deaf Society Netball team celebrates their 25th Jubilee in April, 2000.
NZSL Stories
2015
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Pen: Manawatu Deaf Society 50th Anniversary, 1962-2012
1993
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Group Photo: Manawatu Deaf Women’s Group, 25th Anniversary, 1968-1993
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.
2014
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2014 (Vol. 36, No. 2)
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
2024
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Souvenir Coaster: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club’s 60th Anniversary
NZSL Stories
1989-90
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
St Dominic’s 45th Jubilee
There are many speeches from past pupils and staff recalling their time at St Dominic’s. The casually filmed footage covers part of the four-day 45th reunion at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with many speeches from past pupils and staff recalling their time at St Dominic’s.
2016
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Windy Hands: June 2016
1998
video – Taonga source: Rae McKie
School for the Deaf Marching Girls reunited 45 years later!
The infamous Deaf Marching Girls reunite 45 years later, with a Friday spent practicing before showing their routine to supporters at van Asch on the Sunday.
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee
The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!
1988
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Key Ring: Wellington Deaf Society 50 Years, 1938-1988
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
2014
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2014 (Vol. 36, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1990
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Coming Together: A video history of Wellington Deaf Society
A documentary about Wellington Deaf Society created after the 50th anniversary of WDS back in 1988. It includes historic shots of the old WDS at 280 Willis Street, Te Aro, as well as interviews with some of its members.
1987
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Bottle Opener: Manawatu Deaf Society 25th Anniversary
2012
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Coaster: Manawatu Deaf Society’s 50th Anniversary
2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 3)
1987
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Group Photo: Auckland Deaf Society 50th Anniversary, 1937-1987
1987
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Badge: Manawatu Deaf Society’s 25th Anniversary
2022
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Mug: Manawatu Deaf Society’s 60th Anniversary, 1962-2022
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Netball Uniform: Manawatu Deaf Society
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1988
article – Taonga source: Capital Times
Deaf society celebrates anniversary
Wellington Deaf Society secretary, Pat Dugdale, is expecting 200 people from around New Zealand to take part in its 50th anniversary celebrations.
1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Pennant: Auckland Deaf Basketball Club 40th Anniversary, 1950-1990
NZSL Stories
2008
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Souvenir Coaster: Deaf Ten Pin Bowling Association of New Zealand’s 15th Anniversary
NZSL Stories
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1991
NZSL Stories