
2008
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Nirvana teaching Sign Language
She’s a great mum and teacher and she’s deaf. Nirvana Graham is creating history by teaching our third official language in mainstream school.


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

NZSL Stories


2000
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: November 2000


1979
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
‘Speaking’ shown on ‘The South Tonight’
Total Communication is promoted on ‘The South Tonight’ by MOACOM, a newly formed influential group.






1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: June 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 2)




1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Deaf people CAN lead a ‘normal’ life….
– and Val Jillings and her deaf family prove it! This is Deaf Awareness Week – so the Quota Club of Auckland will hold week-long displays, video films and discussions in the city’s Downtown Walkway and Centrecourt.


1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 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.




1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: July 1983
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


2018
video – Taonga source: Darryl Alexander
The Making of an NZSL Friendly School
The Making of a NZSL Friendly School follows Andre, who began as a new entrant at the school in 2016, and the journey of his teachers, classmates and wider school community in learning NZSL and incorporating it into school curriculum.




1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1991



NZSL Stories


2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
The Watercooler: Deaf Edition
Three Deaf panelists talk about their experiences in communication, schooling, and work. Facilitated by a Deaf MC with interpreted voice over these hilarious, heartwarming experiences give an insight into the Deaf community.





2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Susie Ovens
A Tu Kokiri student interviews Susie Ovens on her involvement with the infamous Deaf Sign Singers group.



NZSL Stories


1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 4)
NZSL Stories


1970
article – Taonga source: The Times.
Problem that too often falls on ‘deaf ears’…
In Hamilton, there are four deaf units, three at Hamilton West and one at Melville Intermediate. Next year there is going to be a deaf unit at Melville High School.


1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A look into the new bilingual approach at Kelston Deaf Education Centre
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.






1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform Silent Night
The Sign Singers perform the famous carol 'Silent Night' for the Stars on Sunday programme.




NZSL Stories


1991
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Clowning Around
They are all members of Palmerston North-based Madedra (Manawatu Deaf Drama Group). Chilean-born drama tutor, Rolmedo Olmedo reckons he has found in them some of the best mime actors he has ever worked with. "They are so natural," he says.


1991
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
The sounds of silence
Turn the light on, so I can hear what you're saying. It's an old line, but a favourite one among us hearing-impaired people, because it points up how we "hear" with our eyes as surely as blind people "see" with their fingers or their ears.
NZSL Stories


2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
After decades of crusading for NZ’s deaf community, Auckland woman honoured as ‘local hero’
The New Zealander of the Year will be announced tonight and as part of it, a number of local heroes have been recognised. One of them is Aucklander Victoria Lessing, who has been deaf her whole life and has spent 20 years raising the profile of NZSL. Two years ago, her passion developed into a company called Merge NZ, which she runs alongside her business partner, Jaime Brown.





1983
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Bruce McHattie encourages Deaf to donate at the Auckland Telethon
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.






2001
video – Taonga source: Lorraine Butler
Deaf Diversity – Queer Nation
Queer Nation meets a sporty lesbian with nimble fingers. Lorraine talks about her identity, involvement with Deaf sports, performing and access, emphasising that Deaf people are really no different from hearing people.


NZSL Stories


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.




1982
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers: ‘Born Free’
The Sign Singers perform the song 'Born Free' broadcast on Stars on Sunday in June 1982.




NZSL Stories


1987
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times
Getting the deaf off their hands
Auckland film-maker Ann Andrews has embarked on a project that Television New Zealand initially regarded as unpalatable last year She is making a film about deaf people. Anne is allowing the deaf to use their first language – sign language.


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


1988
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Spot On interview of Deaf actor in ‘Strangers’
'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.






1992
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Treatment of deaf man is modern horror story
The documentary 'The Remand of Ivan Curry (One, Sunday 9.35) was the story of how a man could spend two years in a New Zealand prison without trial. A deaf man arrested for a murder he did not commit who was kept in jail through lack of police investigation then turned back onto the streets with nothing, not even an apology.
NZSL Stories


2009
video – Taonga source: Asia Downunder
Sign of the times
We meet Kaori Kobayashi, the first Asian Deaf Teacher in New Zealand.


NZSL Stories








