2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf community to be consulted on NZSL Act but advocate fears they will be ignored
The first NZSL-led consultation to amend current legislation has opened, but advocates fear their advice will be ignored.
biography
Profile
Patrick Thompson (QSM)
Patrick was of Ngati Paoa/Ngati Whanaunga descent. He was instrumental in organising the first National Hui for Māori Deaf in 1993. Throughout his career, Patrick acted as an advisor to many groups in the Māori and Deaf communities. Patrick was a strong advocate for training and supporting more trilingual interpreters, and for empowering Māori Deaf people to have greater access to both mainstream society and Māori tikanga.
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Opening of the Advance Centre
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.
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of John McRae
John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
NZSL Stories
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Eunike Mose, Pasifika Deaf student
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.
2003
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of John and Laura Hunt
John and Laura discuss their eventful lives, including immigrating to New Zealand, meeting the local Deaf community, and how their meeting led to a marriage which at the time of filming had lasted 56 years!
1992
article – Taonga source: Harbour News
Tech course to help the deaf
A significant step for New Zealand's deaf community has been taken this week. The country's first permanent sign language interpreters' course began on Monday at the Auckland Institute of Technology. At present there are only four official interpreters servicing New Zealand's more than 24,000 deaf people. Sixteen students from around the country started the two-year course this week.
1989-90
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
St Dominic’s 45th Jubilee
There are many speeches from past pupils and staff recalling their time at St Dominic’s. The casually filmed footage covers part of the four-day 45th reunion at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with many speeches from past pupils and staff recalling their time at St Dominic’s.
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZ Deaf Sports Convention 1955 – Christchurch
NZ Deaf Sports Convention is held at Rugby Park, Christchurch in 1955.
NZSL Stories
2021
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Deaf community rally for fully funded sign language interpreters at festivals and events
Northland's deaf community are rallying to get sign language interpreters at major events, anniversaries and festivals such as Waitangi Day and Anzac Day commemorations. Deaf Action NZ and Tū Tāngata Turi want the Government to fully fund New Zealand sign language interpreters for formal coverage of events, along with social interpreting throughout the day.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1991
NZSL Stories
2017
article – Taonga source: The Press.
Deaf community was home for Margaret Coutts
An obituary on Margaret Coutts who was "the mother of deaf sports", an active leader and strong positive role-model to younger members of the Deaf community. She was the first female president of the Christchurch Deaf Club, and was awarded a NZ Commemoration Medal for her contributions in 1990.
NZSL Stories
1992
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of John Hunt
John Hunt, well-known for his involvement in the Deaf community – talks about establishing the NZ Deaf News, his journey towards becoming a life member of NZ Deaf Sports Association, having had a role in its founding; working as the first Deaf Field Officer for NZAD, and compiling ‘The Story of the Auckland Deaf Society Inc 1937-1987.
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.
1997
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
First NZ sign language dictionary
'Wellington' and 'All Black' are just two of hundreds of familiar Kiwi terms – such as Milo, Weetbix, pakeha, Maori and marae – described in A Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language to ve released next week.
NZSL Stories
2005
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sights set on cup – Passage to India a thrill for Kiwis
After having the rug pulled from under them four years ago, the New Zealand deaf cricket team heads to India today for the World Cup.
1996
article – Taonga source: Taranaki Daily News
Lobbying pays off for deaf community
Three years of lobbying for more support has finally borne fruit for the Taranaki deaf community. An office of the Deaf Association opened in New Plymouth this week, to provide needs assessment, information and some interpretation services for deaf people.
NZSL Stories
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Summer 1997
2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!
Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A behind-the-scenes look at the Teletext system
During 'Deafness Awareness Week' in 1995, One Network News runs a news clip that highlights why Teletext is invaluable to the Deaf community. Patreena Bryan shares with us how captions give Deaf people equality.
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Sumner School for the Deaf 100 Years Centenary celebration
Footage by Sue Penman, of members of the Deaf community and their families attending the centenary celebrations at Sumner School for the Deaf, and taking a tour of the school.
2003
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education Aotearoa New Zealand
Deaf Education Aotearoa New Zealand Journal: Spring 2003
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.
biography
Profile
Mary Johnson (MNZM)
Mary has contributed to the Deaf community as a hardworking and willing volunteer for over 50 years. She was recognised in the 2010 New Years Honours list when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). She was a founding member of the Otago Deaf Society, where she served as president, and was also a founding member of the Manawatu Deaf Club.
biography
Profile
Daniel ‘Danny’ Beech (Benemerenti Medal)
Daniel (Danny) Beech was born in Pahiatua in 1942 and attended St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children from the age of 5. Danny embarked on a life crammed with commitment and loyalty to the NZ Deaf community.
2017
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Tee Shirt: 4th National Deaf Youth Camp
NZSL Stories
1984
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
National Sports Convention for the Deaf in Auckland 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.
NZSL Stories
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1967 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1975
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The Auckland Deaf Centre
A glimpse into the Auckland Deaf Centre, showing Deaf people playing pool, badminton, reading, having coffee and talking in sign language.
NZSL Stories
