
biography
Profile
Hemi Hema (QSM)
Hemi Hema received the Queen’s Service Medal (Q.S.M) in 2012 for his services to the Māori Deaf community. Along with Karen Pointon in the same year, Hemi was the first Māori Deaf person to receive such an honour.

1984
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Autumn 1984 (Vol. 7, No. 1)



1992
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Needs of deaf people given ‘low’ priority
New Zealand Sign Language must be given official recognition as a language or it will die, Deaf Association President Jennifer Brain says.


1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 1989



NZSL Stories


1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 4)









NZSL Stories


1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring 1998











1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 1)









NZSL Stories


1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1993









NZSL Stories


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.




1992
article – Taonga source: Nelson Mail
Living in a silent world
This week is Deaf Awareness Week. Nelson Mail reporter interviewed two women from Nelson's deaf community this week: Fliss Maera and Susan Thomas. The Nelson Club has between 25 to 30 members.
NZSL Stories


1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A Deafening Silence
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.




1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: December 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 4)





NZSL Stories


1983
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
News Review – Deaf Student on Holiday
News Review features Stephen Leach, an Auckland Deaf student studying at Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University).


NZSL Stories


1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992









NZSL Stories


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.
NZSL Stories


1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: October 1994









NZSL Stories


1993
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Advanced computer data base backs NZ’s first sign language dictionary
Managing editor Professor Graeme Kennedy said the project had developed the most advanced computer database in the world for analysing and recording sign language.
NZSL Stories


1978
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Helping the deaf to communicate
Daniel Beech was in New Plymouth over the weekend to demonstrate a new machine which enables deaf people to use a telephone.


NZSL Stories


1996-97
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Summer 1996/97









NZSL Stories


biography
Profile
Susan Hamilton
Susan was a very active sportswoman who loved being involved in the Deaf community, regularly attending all community events. A renowned Deaf golfer who could be found out on the green each Saturday, Susan was also the President of the Deaf Association from 1994 to 1998 and its Patron from 2008 to 2016.


1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1991



NZSL Stories


1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1994









NZSL Stories


1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
NZAD Newsletter, March 1993
Signed version of the NZAD newsletter in March 1993.


NZSL Stories


1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: September 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 2)







1991
article – Taonga source: The Guardian
Deaf drama group presents NZ first
The Manawatu Deaf Drama Group (MADEDRA) will present a show at Abbey Theatre, before taking it to Auckland for the Deaf View Conference and eventually, hope to travel overseas.


2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign of the times
Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."


biography
Profile
Jennifer Brain (QSM)
Jennifer received the Queens Service Medal in 2007 for services to the New Zealand Deaf Community. She was well known for her leadership with the New Zealand Association for the Deaf. Jennifer became the first Deaf Leadership Tutor promoting community and Deaf youth leadership, before becoming the first Deaf Chief Executive Officer in 1999. Through her work, Jennifer was ahead of her time with the strategic planning of many Deaf community projects including Deaf awareness and Deaf leadership.


1984
article – Taonga source: Southern News
Helping deaf to communicate
There is still much lack of understanding among the general public about the needs of deaf people, says Pat Dugdale, field officer in Wellington for the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
NZSL Stories


1988
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Easter 1988 (Vol. 10, No. 4)







1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)
NZSL Stories














