COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf View conferences
The series of national Deaf View conferences have been organised by Deaf people in New Zealand spanning three decades. Each conference has successfully created a platform for better awareness and understanding of Deaf culture and NZSL language; and nurturing links for a stronger Deaf community at a local, national and international level. They also celebrated the rich achievements and diversity of the Deaf community over the past 30 years as well as often pointing the way forwards, for a better resourced and more empowered Deaf community.
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Large Fabric Sign: MADEDRA – Manawatu Deaf Drama Group
1991
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
People Power: Madedra
Madedra, the Manawatu Deaf Drama Group, is putting on a show 'People' which plays at the National Library next Sunday. They have also been invited to perform in the International Festival of Deaf Theatre in Spain but still needed to raise enough money.
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring/Summer 1999
1993
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Fun and laughter in imaginative deaf, mime show
The show, from Manawatu Deaf Drama Group Madedra, is at the Globe Theatre on Friday and Saturday. It's an imaginative work created by the seven deaf actors in the group. Settings, props, costumes and make-up are all the work of other members of Madedra. 'City, Country and Sheep' will show the deaf actors' skills.
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring 1998
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1998
2001
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2001
1985
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Telethon 1985
The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.
NZSL Stories
1993
article – Taonga source: The Guardian
Top Communicator
Local man Lindsay Jones has a national reputation as a skilful storyteller. Unless more people learn sign language, however, that recognition is likely to remain limited mainly to the deaf community.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The inaugural Deaf Festival is hosted at Kelston Deaf Education Centre
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.
1996
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1996
NZSL Stories
Est. 1978
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society Hanley Shield: Auckland Deaf Dramatic Competition
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1995
NZSL Stories
2000
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: November 2000
1978
video – Taonga source: Susie Ovens
Suzanne Ovens on Star Zone!
Susie Ovens, a 12-year-old Deaf girl, participates in ‘Star Zone’ showcasing her miming and theatre skills. Susie wins the New Zealand grand prize and a trip to Melbourne, Australia to participate in another show. At the time of her victory there were no communicators or NZSL interpreters, leaving Susie to figure out at the end of the show whether she had won!
Est. 2012
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sign Talent Quest
NZSL Stories
Est. 2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Wallace Williams Memorial Trophy – Comedy
NZSL Stories
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Mime put to use
Susie Ovens, born 97% deaf, uses mime as one of the many methods to relate to the hearing world. She is also a member of the “Deaf Sign Singers”, a group of 11 deaf people who perform sign language to music.
NZSL Stories
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Dramatic Club, 1980-81
NZSL Stories
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.
2016
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2016
Early 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Clubroom Mural: Painted by Shaun Fahey
1987
article – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Getting Message Over For The Deaf
Threading a needle needs a straight eye with a steady hand, which 15-year-old Susan Ovens illustrated through mime at the closing function of Deaf Awareness Week on Sunday. The Deaf Awareness Week function was held in the Downtown complex in Auckland. The Governor General's speech was translated into sign language by the president of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf, Mr B.McHattie.
NZSL Stories
1983
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Sign Language Puts The Deaf in Tune
The Deaf Sign Singers have a busy schedule this year with performances throughout the North Island.
NZSL Stories
2017
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf Short Film Festival celebrates New Zealand’s deaf talent and culture
Wellington is famous for always having a film festival on, but one coming up this weekend is more than just noise. The Deaf Short Film Festival is held every second year, and has two main parts – the short film competition, and the film festival itself, which is a showcase of the competition entries and a selection of short films made both in New Zealand and overseas.
2003
video – Taonga source: DEAFinitely Youth Group
The first Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off!
The first ever Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off in 2003, as a fundraiser for Deaf Youth to attend the WFD Congress in Montreal, Canada.
NZSL Stories
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
John Rua participates in a taiaha course
John Rua participates in an annual taiaha course and as a participant, he leads a pōwhiri, welcoming the visitors. ‘Te Karere’ visits the course to film John and find out more from his course instructors.
1989
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Deaf study tour hit by obstacle
Many obstacles, including their deafness, are getting in the way of a planned study to the United States and Britain for Angela and Shelia.
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1999