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1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

The Silent Olympics

The team of 17 deaf athletes are farewelled at Kelston School for the Deaf, with official team photos, before leaving for the 10th International Games for the Deaf at Washington D.C.
Pam Witko
2010
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard

Sign language ‘necessity not choice’

Six months after deaf and hearing-impaired children in the region lost their deaf tutor, problems with the teaching of NZSL continue. "NZSL is not a choice, it's a necessity and we have to give these kids a voice," mother Charmaine Strickland said.
1990
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington

Miss Auckland Deaf Beauty Queen Contest

Amateur footage of the Miss Auckland Deaf Beauty Queen Contest held at the Auckland Deaf Centre 1990.
Victoria University of Wellington
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.
The Northern Advocate
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
  • Tony Walton
1953-85
Object – Taonga source: John McRae

N.Z. Kiwi Badge: Worn at multiple international Deaf events: CISS Congress 1953, Helsinki 1961, Washington 1965, Koln 1982 and Los Angeles 1985

John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
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.
1979
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

NZ Deaf Sport Convention, Christchurch 1979

Scenes from NZ Deaf Sport Convention in Christchurch 1979, with sports such as shot-put and athletics, including some impressive sprinting and middle distance running.
Sue Penman
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

TVNZ coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf

Professional coverage of the first few days of sports at the 16th World Games for the Deaf held in Christchurch in January 1989. Events are covered in detail and presented by the News Review weekly round up.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Michael Lynch
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.
Dorothy Jones
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.
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie

Sign Singers at Telethon 1981

The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.
Dulcie McKie
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1992
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald

Court scenes show shocking injustice

When 'The Remand of Ivan Curry' concluded last night with the knowledge that a deaf man wrongly accused for murder and imprisoned for two years without trial was finally released with nothing – no apology nor any compensation – the indignation must have risen high in the throats of many viewers.
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.
Sue Penman
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
1959
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Sumner School for the Deaf Marching Girls

The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Winter 1999

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Medals eyed in 3 events

Four New Zealand deaf athletes are favoured to win medals in swimming, cycling, and badminton. The 112-strong New Zealand team will compete in 11 of the 12 sports.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
  • Michael Lynch
  • Terry Kane
  • Kevin Pivac
1963
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1963 (Vol. 1, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Bid took 12 years

Although many people will not have heard of the World Games for the Deaf, New Zealand's involvement with them spans 40 years. The first information about the games reached New Zealand in 1949 and the New Zealand Amateur Sports Association was formed.
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Pam Croskery
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Big sporting event on shoestring budget

The Games will be about the same size as the 1974 sporting extravaganza in Christchurch, the Commonwealth Games. Yet it has been orchestrated on a budget of $700,000 – about one-third of the cost of the opening ceremony planned for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
2013
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Deaf Southern Star: 2013 (Vol. 35, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Interpreters spent year on training

Nearly 90 Christchurch people have spent the last year training to be interpreters at the World Games for the Deaf, with about 50 deaf people teaching the volunteers their language.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
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.
2004
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

St Dominic’s 60th Jubilee

Ex-pupils talk about their memories and tell stories about St Dominic’s at the 60th reunion in Feilding, during Waitangi Weekend in 2004.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society’s Most Popular Member of the Year

Wellington Deaf Society
1970-90s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Wool V Neck Jersey: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

World Games for the Deaf: Thursday 5 January 1989

A full page update from Christchurch Star on the World Games for the Deaf - Thursday 5 January. Be quick for souvenirs...No need for a whistle or gun; Close watch for drugs.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1955-65
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

A montage of St Dominic’s Christmas Picnics between 1955 and 1965

Footage from 1955 – 1965 during the annual Christmas Picnics held by St Dominic’s School for the Deaf in Island Bay. In New Zealand fashion, Santa arrives on horseback, bringing presents to the pupils who all take turns riding the horse!
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Silver Pin: N.Z Fern

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
1988
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

‘Review’ team getting ready to report

When the 1400 competitors and officials arrive in Christchurch to take part in the World Games for the Deaf, TVNZ's news programme for the deaf will be ready and waiting. The small staff of the weekly programme "News Review" is being boosted by four journalists to cover the events of the three-week games in January.
Pam Witko
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton