
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Manawatu Deaf community farewells Terry O’Brien
The Manawatu Deaf community thanks Terry O’Brien for his service as a Teacher of the Deaf. Terry taught for over 30 years at Freyberg High School in Palmerston North which had a Deaf Unit that St Dominic’s pupils often went on to attend.


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

NZSL Stories


1993
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Hilda Tamepo celebrates her 50th at ADS!
Hilda Tamepo celebrates her 50th birthday at the Auckland Deaf Society clubrooms. The joyous event includes speeches, dancing, and lots of food!




1975
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Christchurch 1975
The Deaf community gather in Christchurch for the NZ Deaf Sports Convention in Labour Weekend, 1975.


NZSL Stories


1992
video – Taonga source: Point of View Productions
‘See What I Mean’
'See What I Mean' presents two real-life stories: the story of a family who were all born Deaf, and a journalist who loses her hearing. It offers positive advice about hearing loss as well as celebrating the New Zealand Deaf community.




1994
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
250 attend school’s jubilee celebrations
Three first-year pupils and three sets of twins numbered among the 250 or so former pupils, teachers, family and friends who attended the St Dominics School for the Deaf 50th jubilee over Anzac Weekend.





1992
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
Jubilee Ball: Celebrating 50 Years of Deaf Schools in Auckland
Nearly 500 alumni and members of the Deaf community, well presented with dinner suits, bow ties, evening gowns, hairdos and the works enjoy an evening at the Avondale Racecourse.


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.







1991
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Deaf viewers of TVNZ will have news subtitles
Some Television New Zealand news bulletins are to be subtitled for hard-of-hearing viewers, but no titles are planned for TV3 news.


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.







2017
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Tee Shirt: 4th National Deaf Youth Camp



NZSL Stories


1995
video – Taonga source: Chris Blum
Friends of Young Deaf (FYD) Explained
FYD Leader Chris Blum explains how the programme works.




1998
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Graduates silent but definitely not joyless
A group of graduating Victoria University students never spoke a word yesterday during the quietest graduation party ever held. The students were New Zealand's first to graduate with a certificate in Deaf studies.


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.


2018
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2018 (Vol. 40, No. 1)





1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Sounds or Silence?
In the early 1990s, due to a breakthrough in technology, cochlear implants were starting to become the norm. The Deaf community worldwide viewed cochlear implants as a device that disregarded the need for access to sign language. Others considered such devices a miracle. In 1993, ‘60 Minutes’ investigated this controversial topic in New Zealand.







1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Board of trustees accepts extra challenges at school for deaf
Board member Ava Buzzard, who has been deaf since birth, is excited by the chance to have a greater role in a school she has been involved with for many years.


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


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


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.






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.


1999
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Deaf Association opens its new Auckland office
The Deaf Association of New Zealand opens its new offices on Great North Road, Avondale, Auckland in November 1999.


NZSL Stories






Est. 1980s
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The Sign Singing Superstars
Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.


2006
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: February 2006






Est. 1938
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society is the heart of the Wellington Deaf Community. Established on 30 July 1938, has moved a couple of times since its formation, from gatherings at people's places, leased halls and buildings, meet-ups at different pubs, to a co-owned building at 17 Bannister Ave, Johnsonville, Wellington – where it is now.


1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1967 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
NZSL Stories


biography
Profile
Lynette Pivac (MBE)
In 1996, Lynette was awarded the Member of British Empire for her services in Deaf education and sign language. She mostly initiated the development of NZSL resources, the training of NZSL tutors and involvement in NZSL teaching issues at national level. She advocated for NZSL and Deaf Studies to be introduced into Deaf education and was the first Deaf Board of Trustees Chairperson.


2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of Kathleen French
Kathleen French was often called the ‘Auckland Deaf Grandmother’ due to her long and pioneering life in the Auckland Deaf Community. In this video Kathleen talks about her colourful life and talks us through some photos at the end.




1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
NZSL Stories


biography
Profile
Elizabeth ‘Maree’ Carroll (QSM)
Maree has given decades of generous service to the community in which she lives. Maree was heavily involved in organising the St Dominic's School for the Deaf school reunions which enabled the school community to remain connected over many decades. Maree was instrumental in establishing the Manawatu Deaf Society, taking a leading role.













