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Deaf National Archive New Zealand
Deaf National Archive New Zealand
1999
The Deaf Association of New Zealand opens its new offices on Great North Road, Avondale, Auckland in November 1999.
1952
Members of the Auckland Deaf community welcome friends and competitors from nationwide for the annual Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, and take a trip into Auckland City.
1969
Members of the Auckland Deaf Society and friends attend the annual picnic at Orewa Beach in March 1969.
1975
A glimpse into the Auckland Deaf Centre, showing Deaf people playing pool, badminton, reading, having coffee and talking in sign language.
1957
Annual Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance – dancing, tītītōrea (short stick games) with end-of-year prizes.
1983
Bruce McHattie from Auckland Deaf Society participates in the 1983 Telethon in Auckland, aimed at fundraising for a specific cause. Deaf people could be involved too, and make donations by calling a specific number via their TTY and state their donation.
1958
Fascinating footage from the Auckland Easter show 1958, including brief footage of Deaf visitors to the show.
1980
2004
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.
1977
Written and directed by Kelston School for Deaf Children Standard 3 students, the play depicts a girl's nightmare in which she is abducted by aliens and encounters witches, Frankenstein's Monster and various other creatures.
2007
Footage and interviews from the opening night of the newly redeveloped Auckland Deaf Society clubrooms late August 2007.
1998
An action filled evening at ADS with a Deaf modelling show followed by an Auckland Deaf Drag Queen contest and finally a derby race competition!
1990
The Auckland Sign Singers were invited to perform with others in a three-hour entertainment special to celebrate 1990 which was broadcast live from Bastion Point on TV One at 7.30pm.
1988
'Strangers' was a TVNZ-produced drama series, including one Deaf character played by 7-year-old Sonia Pivac. This short documentary is a brief look behind the scenes of the filming process.
2004
Susan Thomas talks about her many life experiences, love of sports, and what it was like to work on ‘News Review’ as a Deaf presenter in the late 1980s.
2003
A compilation of various footage where Wallace’s friends speak about their memories of Wallace including footage of Wallace at Auckland Deaf Society events.
1990
The 34th New Zealand Games for the Deaf, hosted by Auckland, concludes with a prizegiving and social evening at Auckland Deaf Society 1990.
1990
Auckland Deaf Society’s annual picnic at Long Bay where members compete in the 100m sprint (and fake starts!) and the boys show off their bodybuilding moves.
1993
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.
1956
Friends of the Deaf prepare a float for the Auckland Carnival, 1956, along with some footage of the float parade.
1982
The Sign Singers perform 'Oh What a Beautiful Day' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983.
1971
1990
The Auckland Deaf community gathers for the Miss Deaf Auckland competition, organised by Adrienne Killen. The top three are selected to represent Auckland in the upcoming Miss Deaf New Zealand pageant.
1952
Students at Titirangi School for the Deaf are treated to a day trip to the Parnell Baths.
1960s
Deaf people get together at John and Verna McRae’s place before heading to Orewa, Auckland for the Annual ADS Picnic.
1989
Edited coverage of the Auckland v Canterbury Deaf Rugby League match held in Auckland in 1989.
2003
The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!
1997
Perry Strawson entertains with stories and funny tales from his life; what it’s like to enjoy sports and travel as a young Deaf man.
1993
Hilda Tamepo celebrates her 50th birthday at the Auckland Deaf Society clubrooms. The joyous event includes speeches, dancing, and lots of food!
2003
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.
1984
Jane Dent reports on the National Sports Convention for the Deaf held in Auckland during Labour Weekend in 1984. The footage screened on the 6:30pm news on Saturday 20 October 1984.
2006
Auckland Deaf Society President Kevin Pivac gives a tour of the Club’s building prior to its demolition and rebuild.
1981
New Zealand athletes stopover at Los Angeles on the way to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln, and make the most of the trip with a visit to Disneyland!
1993
The opening of the Deaf Association National Office and the Auckland Branch Office at the Ceramic House in Totara Avenue, New Lynn on 18 June 1993.
1980
2002
Extended version: New Zealand play Wales in the Deaf Rugby World Championship final at Eden Park, Auckland in 2002.
1958
The foundation stone ceremony for the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre 1958.
1998
Angela Sew Hoy shares her experiences of being the first Deaf graduate of a Master of Business Administration.
1990
Footage of rugby league training, haka practice, game planning, changing room preparations, and actual game footage of all three matches between the Deaf Kiwis and Australian teams, and even a visit to the hospital for an injured Kiwi player!
2000
The Auckland Deaf Society Netball team celebrates their 25th Jubilee in April, 2000.
2004
Māori Deaf participating in a hīkoi (protest march) in support of Māori claims of ownership of the New Zealand foreshore and seabed.
1960
Parents of deaf children raised thousands of pounds to buy a beach property at Parau where a large brick hostel was built. Groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend there.
1992
Nearly 500 alumni and members of the Deaf community, well presented with dinner suits, bow ties, evening gowns, hairdos and the works enjoy an evening at the Avondale Racecourse.
1973
1990
Coverage of the Miss Deaf New Zealand competition, hosted during the 34th New Zealand Games for the Deaf social evening at Auckland Deaf Society, October 1990.
1981
The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.
2006
Footage and interviews from the final Friday night at Deaf Club at Auckland Deaf Society before its long-awaited re-development in 2006.
1959
The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.
1969
1952
During one of the first New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, a group of Deaf take a day trip to Orewa.
2004
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.
1981
New Zealand team goes to XIV World Games for the Deaf in Köln, Germany in 1981.
2002
Weekend celebrations are kickstarted with a Māori Deaf kapa haka group to perform a haka powhiri. Vintage teachers such as Les Bury briefly summarise their experiences of working in Deaf education over the years.
1970
An informal annual rugby game between teams of Deaf men, married and single, which was played on one of Kelston Deaf Education Centre’s fields.
2002
A snapshot of the inaugural 2002 Deaf Rugby World Championships held in Auckland, briefly touching on official matches, friendly games, and two social evenings at Auckland Deaf Club, with speeches galore!
1975
The Auckland Deaf Netball Club runs a social event to celebrate its first anniversary in 1976.
1981
The Sign Singers perform the song 'I Hear Your Hand' for the Stars on Sunday programme.
2004
Insight into the preparations that go into a powhiri onto Rūaumoko Marae, and rare footage of the powhiri itself, followed by an interview with Patrick Thompson.
1982
The Sign Singers perform the hit song 'Sailing' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in May 1982. Ian Watkins, introduces the group by saying “…and I’m delighted to welcome back to the programme the deaf sign singers.”
1998
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.
1979
Coverage of the Netball tournament at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Christchurch 1979.
1994
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.
1991
A look at the cultural education needs of Māori Deaf students. Māori Deaf are likely to experience more barriers in the education sector. Interviews undertaken by ‘Marae’ shows us that the multiple cultural identities of Māori Deaf are not completely accommodated for with aspirations on how to resolve this.
2000
The Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club celebrate their ‘Golden’ Anniversary, their 50th anniversary, at the ADS Balmoral clubrooms where people share their memories of being involved in the basketball club.
1956
Deaf adults enjoy ice cream, beer and dressing up in bathing suits, whilst observing HMNZ Tamaki navy recruits practise on Motuihe Island.
2002
TVNZ’s Marae programme features the friendly game between Deaf Māori & Pacific Island Invitational XV and the Japan Deaf Rugby team. It includes the pre-match team talk with coach Richard Peri, karakia from kaumatua Ivan Tamepo, and discussions with assistant Togia Lanefale. It concludes with highlights of the match which was closely fought but finally won by Japan 20-17.
1973
2001
The ‘007’ themed Miss and Mr Deaf New Zealand event, expertly hosted by Victoria Skorikova and Tony Walton was a major fundraising event for the 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth Camp. It was organised in 5 weeks and raised $7,000 towards camp costs.
1985
The Sign Language Interpreting course graduation ceremony September 1985, after 14 weeks training.
1982
The Sign Singers perform the song 'Born Free' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in June 1982.
2002
A montage celebrating Wallace Williams’ life and his contribution to the Auckland Deaf community.
1991
A karakia, the Lord’s Prayer, is given by two Deaf children using NZSL for the ‘Marae’ television series. This clip also contains Māori captions of the te reo Māori lyrics.
1969
2004
This raw, edited footage consists of interviews with Whiti Ronaki, Michael Wi and Stephanie Awheto - a trilingual interpreter, on topics relevant in the Māori Deaf world.
1992
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.
2002
Ava Buzzard talks about life growing up in Christchurch, her hobbies, moving to Auckland as well as her children and their educational upbringing.
1994
The first graduates of the Diploma in NZSL Interpreting course will start working in the community, enabling Deaf people to achieve their rights to access a range of settings and services.
1954
Deaf members of the Auckland Adult Deaf Society clear the Balmoral Road property before construction of the main hall.
2004
Raw footage of an interview with Patrick Thompson attempting to connect with a Māori culture he was denied growing up. Patrick provides a voice for Māori Deaf, to grow understanding about the challenges they face, and to promote the importance of NZSL.
1985
The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.
1983
News Review features Stephen Leach, an Auckland Deaf student studying at Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University).
1995
Deaf children are taught drama skills by two Deaf visitors from the UK, in preparation for their show at the opening night of the inaugural Deaf Festival, hosted by Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
1993
A farewell party is thrown for John and Laura Hunt at the Auckland Deaf Society, prior to their move to Melbourne. The farewell was attended by over 100 members of the Auckland Deaf community.
1950
Deaf students dress up and parade around the back of Titirangi School for the Deaf at its annual Christmas party.
2008
A 43-minute documentary taking you through the history of Auckland Deaf Society, the second home of the Deaf community of Auckland.
1951
A group of Deaf people make a trip to the Helensville Hot Pools 1951.
1959
A group of Deaf friends are treated to a boat trip in the Hauraki Gulf on a boat called “Rambler”, owned by Laurie Schischka.
1999
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.
1978
A packed YMCA hall with supporters watching the Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball game.
1956
During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.
1996
One of the goals of 1996’s Deaf Awareness Week was to better educate New Zealanders about New Zealand Sign Language, and as part of this, One Network News visited Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland. KDEC which has a new bilingual teaching method using both NZSL and English.
2002
DeafTV from Denmark makes a trip to New Zealand to feature the country and its Deaf community on its ‘International Postcard’ series, with scenes from a normal Friday night at the Deaf Club, a trip to the Deaf Association office. The Deaf Danish crew are also welcomed onto the Rūaumoko Marae.
2009
Deaf protest against shutting down the Advance Centre, a tertiary support centre for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Auckland region.
1952
Auckland Deaf Adult Society’s annual picnic takes place north of Orewa beach.
1990
A homemade Sydney documentary on the Australian Deaf Rugby league team’s tour of New Zealand in 1990 from preparation, the tour, the tests, and triumphant return home.
1992
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.
1988
'Strangers' was a TVNZ-produced drama series for children, with one Deaf character played by 7-year-old Sonia Pivac. Reporter Phil Keoghan, from ‘Spot On’, interviews Sonia about being the only Deaf actor in the drama.
1997
The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
1991
The Wellington Deaf rugby league team host their Auckland rivals in Lower Hutt. The match was closely fought!
1956
Titirangi students and their families picnic at the Parau Camp House in West Auckland. The property was purchased in 1955 and groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend here.
2004
Ava Buzzard talks about commuting to school via her father’s motorbike, home signs, signing and oralism, and the next generation of signers.
1990
Amateur footage of the Miss Auckland Deaf Beauty Queen Contest held at the Auckland Deaf Centre 1990.
1958
The Friends of the Deaf group man a fundraising stall at the Auckland Carnival in Western Springs, Auckland in January 1958.
1969
A group of men from the ADS basketball club are seen chatting outside the Auckland Deaf Society Clubrooms.
1972
On Auckland’s West Coast, Auckland Deaf basketball men train for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington 1972.
1982
The Sign Singers perform 'Harmony' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in February 1983. They are introduced in sign language, in one of the first examples of a non-Deaf person signing on prime time television.
2004
Raw footage of an interview with solo mother Joanne Klaver, attempting to connect with a Māori culture she was denied growing up, and one of her two sons, Charles, who is also Deaf.
1998
Dennis talks about his past struggles and joys in life, his love of ten pin bowling and travel, punctuated with jokes and stories.
1986
In November 1986, film maker Ann Andrews organised a week-long drama workshop for six 13 year olds from Kelston School for the Deaf. The workshop concluded with the play, The Magic Park, written and acted by the students.
1958
The building of the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, followed by footage of the Balmoral Bowling Club, and the newly opened Auckland Harbour Bridge.
1959
The Battle of Whau: a drama by Kelston Deaf students for the opening ceremony of Kelston School for the Deaf, 7th November 1959.
2006
Auckland Deaf Society, about to close for a total building redevelopment, hosts a final social event: a Mardi Gras at the Deaf Club.
1951
Auckland Deaf community hold their annual picnic at Duders Beach, 1951.
1981
The Sign Singers perform the famous carol 'Silent Night' for the Stars on Sunday programme.
2002
Inside Out features the inaugural World Deaf Rugby Championship, including coverage of the final between New Zealand and Wales at Eden Park, Auckland in 2002.
1990s
The 50th birthday of Ivan Tamepo - a respected Deaf elder – is celebrated at ADS, with a karanga, powhiri, waitaia and celebrations in the back hall and upstairs clubroom.
1997
Eunike Mose, a profoundly deaf Samoan high school student, and her mother Heather, talk about the challenges of being Deaf, particularly in relation to the family’s Pasifika heritage, and education.
2004
Shaun Fahey, a Deaf artist, talks about illustrating signs for the NZSL Dictionary, and what life was like for a young Shaun growing up in Christchurch under the rule of oralism.
1996
‘Asia Dynamic’ catches up with Angela Sew Hoy, to find out what life is like as a Deaf Chinese New Zealander, navigating three different cultures in everyday life.