reset filter
1995
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

Black magic hat

Shaun Fahey was wearing the right hat when Black Magic won the America's Cup – but he couldn't throw it in the air to celebrate. His hat is actually a replica of the New Zealand boat, 71cm long and 110cm high, complete with seascape, dolphin, buoy, fish and an array of sponsors' stickers.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2004
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Shaun Fahey

Shaun Fahey, a Deaf artist, talks about illustrating signs for the NZSL Dictionary, and what life was like for a young Shaun growing up in Christchurch under the rule of oralism.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: June 1992

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
biography
Profile

Jennifer Brain (QSM)

Jennifer received the Queens Service Medal in 2007 for services to the New Zealand Deaf Community. She was well known for her leadership with the New Zealand Association for the Deaf. Jennifer became the first Deaf Leadership Tutor promoting community and Deaf youth leadership, before becoming the first Deaf Chief Executive Officer in 1999. Through her work, Jennifer was ahead of her time with the strategic planning of many Deaf community projects including Deaf awareness and Deaf leadership.
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Spring 1998

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

NFD Communicate: December 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
biography
Profile

Noeline ‘Patty’ Still (MNZM)

Patty, born 1932, received the M.N.Z.M in 2003 for her involvement in many activities and initiatives within the Deaf community. Patty was recognised for her efforts in promoting NZSL through her teaching of NZSL, and her work raising public awareness via her performances with the Christchurch Silent Singers group.
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.
2015
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian

Sign language menu tests guests

CQ Restaurant in Cuba St has launched a NZSL menu where guests sign to order their meal. Talia Carlisle tests her knowledge during NZSL Week.
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

The modern NZSL dictionary is launched

The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
Television New Zealand Archive
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
  • Tony Walton
1989-90
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Work starts on the modern NZSL dictionary

A look behind the scenes at the team creating the modern NZSL dictionary including interviews with Kevin Stokes and Graeme Kennedy.
Television New Zealand Archive
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
  • Shona McGhie
1992
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

Dictionary for the language of the deaf

Nearly quarter of a million dollars in sponsorship has been raised for the NZSL dictionary, a joint effort by the University and the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

‘Deaf Book’: First NZSL dictionary makes it to print

Dan Levitt’s work on the first NZSL dictionary in 1985 popularised the name, ‘New Zealand Sign Language’. In this news segment, Dan describes the different between the English Signing System and NZSL.
Television New Zealand Archive
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Winter 1999

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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.
Deaf Aotearoa
2012
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation

Soundscape: March 2012

Oticon Foundation
biography
Profile

Anthony ‘Tony’ Walton (CNZM)

Tony received the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to the Deaf community. Tony has had a broad involvement in many areas of the Deaf community, having been President of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and successfully hosting the World Deaf Games in 1989.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: December 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 4)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: March 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Summer 1997

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
biography
Profile

Susan Hamilton

Susan was a very active sportswoman who loved being involved in the Deaf community, regularly attending all community events. A renowned Deaf golfer who could be found out on the green each Saturday, Susan was also the President of the Deaf Association from 1994 to 1998 and its Patron from 2008 to 2016.
1992
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Needs of deaf people given ‘low’ priority

New Zealand Sign Language must be given official recognition as a language or it will die, Deaf Association President Jennifer Brain says.
2003
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington

NZSL dictionary includes te reo Māori

Deaf New Zealanders now have access to te reo Māori vocabulary in the Online Dictionary of NZSL, compiled by Victoria’s Deaf Studies Research Unit.
1978
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Total Communications camp, shown on ‘The South Tonight’

New Zealand's first total communications camp for Deaf children takes place in Tautuku, South Otago.
Television New Zealand Archive