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.
2003
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2003
1993
article – Taonga source: Contact
Hands says it all
Kevin Stokes wishes more people spoke his language. He would also like to see it recognised, as New Zealand's third official language, alng with English and Maori.
NZSL Stories
2000
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: November 2000
2023
article – Taonga source: Bay of Plenty Times
Deaf couple use sign language to organise building a new house
A new house build can be a challenging time for a young couple. But Gregory and Victoria Lessing are also deaf, and undertook a house build from scratch using NZSL.
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.
biography
Profile
Noeline ‘Patty’ Still (MNZM)
Patty, born 1932, received the M.N.Z.M in 2003 for her involvement in many activities and initiatives within the Deaf community. Patty was recognised for her efforts in promoting NZSL through her teaching of NZSL, and her work raising public awareness via her performances with the Christchurch Silent Singers group.
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
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
David Loving-Molloy appears on ‘Praise Be’
David Loving-Molloy of the Catholic Deaf Centre in Palmerston North joins Graeme Thomson on ‘Praise Be’ to share his thoughts about Deaf Awareness Week, and the work he does with the Deaf community.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
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
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Spotlight on Pasifika Deaf
Tangata Pasifika visits Kelston Deaf Education Centre and meets with a number of Pasifika Deaf students part of the school’s transition programme, interviewing Rosie Amituanai and her family.
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
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Large Fabric Sign: MADEDRA – Manawatu Deaf Drama Group
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.
1984
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers perform on the ‘In South Tonight’ programme – Dunedin 1984
The Sign Singers tour the South Island for Deaf Awareness in 1984, and are invited to perform on ‘In South Tonight’ while in Dunedin.
NZSL Stories
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers at Telethon 1981
The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.
NZSL Stories
2023
article – Taonga source: The Northland Age
Sign of the times: Teaching of New Zealand’s third official language growing ‘bigger and better’
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania may be the best-known Far North face learning NZSL, but he’s in growing company.
1997
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Deaf woman goes to head of class
Struggles in her own schooling as she grew up made profoundly deaf Auckland woman Sarah Cameron want to be a teacher. Her ambition came true yesterday when she became the first deaf person to graduate with a mainstream secondary teacher's diploma.
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.
1987
article – Taonga source: The Press
All the world is a stage – for the deaf, too
“Speaking hands, hearing eyes” is the title of an Australian folk song about the deaf. It is also the dictum by which Anne Tweedie lives and why she has started a Theatre for the Deaf.
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.
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
Interview: Jamie Brown from Merge NZ talks about the impacts and benefits of learning NZSL
Jaime Brown, Merge NZ Co-Director, learned NZSL and didn't just find a language, but a community and a passion. Seecus talks to Jaime about the impacts NZSL has had for her and the benefits of learning sign language.
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.
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
2021
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Burger King staff yell and swear at Deaf man ordering dinner for his kids
Barry Kay just wanted to order dinner for his kids at Burger King. The Christchurch builder had written his order in big letters on a piece of paper for the drive-through, as he had done before. But when he handed over his order at the window on Friday, the operator told him to go inside.
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.