
2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Using sign language as a family
The Fergusons are an average family of five who have fun, sometimes fight but mostly get along. The main difference is that three of them are deaf, and NZSL is the first language for the whole family. How does this work in a busy household with two teens and a toddler? We spend a few days with the Fergusons and discover it works remarkably well. Especially for the eldest Zoe who is exploring advocating for New Zealand deaf youth.

NZSL Stories


2023
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
‘Here I can be myself’: Language Days a boost for Northland’s deaf and hard-of-hearing children
“Here I can be myself.” That’s how 17-year-old Northlander Naomi Ngawati sums up the Language Days (organised by Ko Taku Reo) she’s been attending since she was a child.




2011
video – Taonga source: Jared Flitcroft
Our Second Home: Wellington Deaf Club
The Wellington Deaf Club is a place where Deaf and hearing alike go to relax, take a break from the ‘outside’ world and communicate in a language that is loud. Jared Flitcroft explores why the Deaf Club is their second home and the cultural aspect of being Deaf in a ‘hearing’ world.




1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Listener
That’s the way we sign it
For most of the week, the deaf in New Zealand are shut off from the television communication the rest of us take for granted. But for half an hour each Sunday, they can join the rest of the world, through a special programme called News Review.


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


1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 3)









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


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.


2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
Interview: Victoria Lessing from Merge NZ talks about learning NZSL and its benefits
Victoria Lessing, Merge NZ Co-Director, talks with Seecus about learning NZSL and its benefits.





1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)







NZSL Stories


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









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







NZSL Stories


2014
video – Taonga source: Ministry of Education
Acknowledgements – Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice?
An acknowledgement to all the team who helped make the Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice? exhibition possible. Ko Wai Au is an exhibition empowering Māori rangatahi who identify as Deaf to communicate with others leading to a wider understanding of aspirations as young Deaf Māori.








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.


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.





2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Future leaders of Deaf community share vision for NZ Sign Language
While NZSL Week runs from May 8-14, young leaders of the Deaf community are continuously advocating for their culture and language in the hearing world every other week of the year.




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.




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.




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.


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.


1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Awareness Week 1996
Deaf Awareness Week 1996 begins, with a spotlight on Des Barton, who finds the latest technology in hearing aids a great improvement. Angela Sew Hoy highlights that the week is aiming to raise awareness about Deaf people, their language and culture.





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









1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf angry at threat facing News Review
Deaf people are angered and disappointed by the threat facing the TV show News Review.




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







NZSL Stories






COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Aotearoa New Zealand Deaf History: Classroom lesson plans
SignDNA has created six lesson plans that can guide learners through some themes within the archive, such as language change, Deaf gatherings, and Deaf in the media.


2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia
Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa
This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)




2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
NZ sign language becomes official – Capital D for deaf?
The room is full of waving hands and exaggerated facial gestures. Even though the room is silent the dozen women are "talking" with each other just as volubly as if they were having a chinwag. It is a women's only class in New Zealand's latest offical language - NZSL.


1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Angela Sew Hoy: A Deaf Chinese New Zealander
‘Asia Dynamic’ catches up with Angela Sew Hoy, to find out what life is like as a Deaf Chinese New Zealander, navigating three different cultures in everyday life.





2000
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
Inside Out: The Art of Signing
Inside Out produces a programme about New Zealand Sign Language, its value to the Deaf community as well as its artistic forms.




2002
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
In full voice
This fascinating book provides insight into a community about which most people are unaware. This is the world of Deaf culture, of Deaf as an identity, not a disability or deficit – Deaf with a capital D.



