
1994
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf petition to Telecom
Poor access to emergency services for the deaf could result in a death unless some action is taken soon, say advocates for the deaf. A petition has just been launched to ask Telecom to provide a relay service for that deaf people can call for help.

NZSL Stories


1978
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
People like us – ‘Deaf Education and Technology’
A look into the world of Deaf people, in particular a glimpse into Deaf education at the time, and how technology improves the lives of Deaf people, with Daniel Beech demonstrating the use of a TTY.








1957
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1957)
Annual Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance – dancing, tītītōrea (short stick games) with end-of-year prizes.



NZSL Stories






Est. 1992
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Rūaumoko Marae
Rūaumoko Marae has been part of Deaf Māori community for 30 years and is a central part of Deaf Māori community. It's a place where Deaf Māori can just be; they can connect and learn about te ao Māori.


1960-70s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
Prefect Badge: School for Deaf, Kelston




1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995



NZSL Stories


1981
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
10,000 Miles Away – Gallaudet College life
Stephen Leach talks about his experience at Gallaudet College in Washington DC, USA.





1944
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet
Catholic Education For Deaf-Mute Children
The story of Catholic Deaf-Mute education, what has been done for deaf students by Dominican Nuns, and the new St. Dominic’s School for Deaf Children in Wellington.


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


2015
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2015 (Vol. 37, No. 2)








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.








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


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.




1997
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Perry Strawson
Perry Strawson entertains with stories and funny tales from his life; what it’s like to enjoy sports and travel as a young Deaf man.


NZSL Stories


2017
video – Taonga source: Meghan Coppage
Memories of Susan Hamilton
Susan Hamilton is interviewed by Meghan Coppage, where she recounts a range of experiences from her life. From growing up at a Deaf school, to her memories of time in the Deaf community in bygone days, to seeing the changes at Kelston Deaf Education Centre including the transition to new school building.




1880
Object – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
Postcard: Xmas Greetings from Sumner, N.Z. 1880





1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
ARCHIBISHOP OFFICIATES
A solemn and impressive ceremony was witnessed last Sunday at St. Dominic's School for the Deaf, near Feilding, when the Catholic Prelate, His Grace Archbishop P.T.B. McKeefry blessed the new building at the school.








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.


2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Unique Wellington school for Deaf students where sign language rules could help more kids, community says
Parents and teachers at a unique school for Deaf students within a school believe more children in Wellington could benefit from the service. And they are calling for a high school to be set up to teach Deaf students across the region.





1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology
An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.





1956-57
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Kelston School for Deaf: Clearing of the Ground and Construction
Students from the Titirangi School for the Deaf visit the construction site of the future Kelston School for the Deaf.



NZSL Stories


1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 4)








2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Deaf Teen’s New School
Gaby Evans is 13 and moving hundreds of kilometres from her rural home to Auckland's Kelston Deaf Education Centre. Until now she's been isolated, and never had to know how to sign. If she's going to make it on her own she's going to have to come out of her shell and learn to communicate with her deaf classmates.





1960s
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
St Dominics Gala
St Dominics School for the Deaf hold their annual Gala Day – year unknown.




1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Centenary Flag: van Asch College 1880-1980




1997
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education History Aotearoa NZ
Yearbook: van Asch Deaf Education Centre, 1997





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.


2016
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard
Teaching the deaf since 1973
Teaching for almost 50 years has proved a rewarding career for Terry O'Brien, who has witnessed the development of deaf education. He has seen the transition of deaf education from an emphasis on teaching verbally and through text, to an emphasis on Signed English then NZSL in the 90s.


1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1995



NZSL Stories


2017
article – Taonga source: Stuff
St Theresa’s School sets example for NZSL friendly schools
A Porirua school is being heralded as a great example of inclusive education. St Theresa's School in Plimmerton is the focus of a new short documentary by van Asch Deaf Education Centre, which will be used as a resource to show how to effectively integrate deaf education and culture into schools.









