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.
1956
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
‘Brighten Their Silent World’ float at Auckland Carnival
The Birthday Carnival held annually at Western Springs were a lucrative way of raising money in the early fifties. The Auckland Deaf Society via the Friends of the Deaf were raising funds for a new hall building.
NZSL Stories
biography
Profile
Daniel ‘Danny’ Beech (Benemerenti Medal)
Daniel (Danny) Beech was born in Pahiatua in 1942 and attended St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children from the age of 5. Danny embarked on a life crammed with commitment and loyalty to the NZ Deaf community.
1970s onwards
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Telethons
Telethons were run nationwide in New Zealand in 1975-79, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-91, 1993 and 2009. The 24-hour fundraiser would take place in regions around New Zealand and was broadcast on TV. Viewers would be shown coverage of the telethon nearest to their location. Smaller regions would typically see coverage of the telethon in one of the main centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin), and it was in those areas where Deaf people were invited to participate.
1990
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
Opening of the Bruce McHattie House
The ceremony and speeches to open McHattie House, used as the national office for NZAD.
NZSL Stories
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: September 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 5)
NZSL Stories
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Cricket Team, 1999
1984
article – Taonga source: Contact
Deaf friends
Deaf people in the Wellington region now have a new organisation, Friends of the Deaf, an umbrella group for all the deaf organisations in the area.
1984
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Ban the foolhardy from mountains?
What right did Robert Muldoon have to order seven deaf Japanese climbers off Mt Cook? Will his action mean that in future any climber will need prime ministerial sanction before he or she can proceed?
1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Old-Time Fancy Dress party, Christchurch 1979
A fancy dress party is held at the Canterbury Deaf Society’s clubrooms.
1987
article – Taonga source: Los Angeles Times
Dictionary of Signs: CSUN Gets Book, Gratitude of New Zealand Deaf
The CSUN library is given a copy of 'Introduction to New Zealand Sign Language', the first published dictionary of the native language of New Zealand's 6,000 deaf with 1,200 signs.
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.
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
10 Deaf Debutantes at a Ball
For the first time in the history of New Zealand, ten deaf debutantes were presented at a ball last night. The guests of honour were Mr D. Nathan, president of the Friends of the Deaf, Mr C. Allen, principal of the School for the Deaf at Titangi, and Mr W. Williams, president of the Auckland Adult Deaf Society.
1989
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Fielding school for deaf closes
New Government policy on educating disabled children has ended more than three decades of teaching deaf children at St Dominic's in Feilding.
1965
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Twenty-One Years: St Dominic’s at Feilding
A look at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf twenty-one years after its opening at Dover Street, to its relocation to Feilding. ‘Twenty-One Years’ features speech therapy, classroom activities and ballet, swimming and sewing lessons, as well as its infamous Gala Day and a Mass in its Chapel.
1953
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet
IS THERE NO HOPE AT ALL? Plight of Deaf Children
St. Dominic's is a mile or so on the Palmerston side of Feilding. Set back across the railway line from the highway is a fine old country mansion framed by trees and lawns. At one side are the former barns and stables, now being used as temporary classrooms. On the other side the builders are busy completing new classrooms for use next year; when these are finished they will begin work on the children's new sleeping quarters adjoining.
Est. 1938
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society is the heart of the Wellington Deaf Community. Established on 30 July 1938, has moved a couple of times since its formation, from gatherings at people's places, leased halls and buildings, meet-ups at different pubs, to a co-owned building at 17 Bannister Ave, Johnsonville, Wellington – where it is now.
1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Pennant: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball Club: 25th Jubilee, 1950-1975
NZSL Stories
1989
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
33rd New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, 19-23 October 1989
NZSL Stories
2013
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Young and Deaf: Dean’s Story
Dean Buckley is a young Deaf man on a mission. Only eighteen years old, Dean's already experienced a great deal of adversity, and now he's determined to become a leader and advocate for other Deaf teenagers. First up, taking on the challenges of Youth Parliament, representing Deaf MP Mojo Mathers.
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Owen Gibbons
Former Auckland Deaf Society President and life member, Owen Gibbons says that one of his best memories was travelling to the World Deaf Games as part of the New Zealand Deaf basketball mens team. His eyes “literally popped out at what he saw over there!”
NZSL Stories
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.
1991
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Māori Deaf and Deaf education
A look at the cultural education needs of Māori Deaf students. Māori Deaf are likely to experience more barriers in the education sector. Interviews undertaken by ‘Marae’ shows us that the multiple cultural identities of Māori Deaf are not completely accommodated for with aspirations on how to resolve this.
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Being Māori Deaf: Interview with Patrick Thompson
Raw footage of an interview with Patrick Thompson attempting to connect with a Māori culture he was denied growing up. Patrick provides a voice for Māori Deaf, to grow understanding about the challenges they face, and to promote the importance of NZSL.
1965-66
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1965-66 (Vol. 3, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: September 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1988
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Easter 1988 (Vol. 10, No. 4)
1978
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Canterbury Deaf Club teams travel to Greymouth
The Canterbury Deaf Club Basketball & Netball teams travels to Greymouth, with the ‘Deaf Boys’ playing against the ‘Hot Shots’ and winning 67-54.
2018
video – Taonga source: Deaf Children New Zealand
NZSL and Us: Diamond Johnson, Hamilton
Diamond is a bubbly and active little girl who loves a challenge. Her whānau embraces all three of New Zealand’s languages: English, Te Reo Māori and NZSL. Her mother is determined to improve her NZSL by attending sign language classes so she that she will be able to communicate with Diamond fully as she grows up. Her whānau has a strong commitment to ensure Diamond is exposed to as much NZSL as possible including access to Deaf role models.
biography
Profile
Stewart ‘Sen’ Smith (Coronation Medal)
Stewart, or Sen, as he was called – was the president of Auckland Adult Deaf Society from 1947-1954. It was later called the Auckland Deaf Society. The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.