1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
2010
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
The Berry Family: Part 1
We take you into the home of the Berrys and look at the lives of deaf New Zealanders.
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Games ideal world
To most of the athletes attending the sixteenth World Games for the Deaf the social side of the event is as important as the competition. For the 10 days of the games the athletes and deaf officials are living in their ideal world – using their form of communication.
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1995
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
NZSL Stories
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.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 3)
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1999
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.
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.
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1995
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
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.
2014
video – Taonga source: Ministry of Education
Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice?
A video with six rangatahi communicating their stories of being young Turi Māori (Māori Deaf). The topics they discuss include recognition and acknowledgement of Deaf people in the past, Dame Whina Cooper and the impact of Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
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.
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.
2006
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Good signs
The Wellington Association for Deaf Children camp at the Silverstream Retreat at the weekend let families immerse themselves in "deaf culture".
2010
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
The Berry Family: Part 2
We take you into the home of the Berrys and look at the lives of deaf New Zealanders. Playing poker is one of this family’s favourite pastimes!
NZSL Stories
1989
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Deaf Kiwis abroad!
Deaf New Zealanders take timeout for some sightseeing during a trip to the first, week-long Deaf Way conference in 1989 in Washington DC, USA.
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.
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.
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.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992
NZSL Stories
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Meredith Karim can listen and speak, but she thinks in sign language
Meredith Karim was just five months old when she started using NZSL to communicate. She was born a hearing child to deaf parents, often known by the acronym CODA. She says while most people have a voice talking in their heads expressing their thoughts, she visualises hers in NZSL.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1993
NZSL Stories
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.