
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Julie Bullivant
Julie Bullivant tells her story about what it was like growing up deaf and attending van Asch, a deaf boarding school.


2005
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sights set on cup – Passage to India a thrill for Kiwis
After having the rug pulled from under them four years ago, the New Zealand deaf cricket team heads to India today for the World Cup.

1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1998

NZSL Stories

2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of Kathleen French
Kathleen French was often called the ‘Auckland Deaf Grandmother’ due to her long and pioneering life in the Auckland Deaf Community. In this video Kathleen talks about her colourful life and talks us through some photos at the end.


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.


2003
video – Taonga source: Barry Kinnaird
Memories of Barry Kinnaird
A Deaf bowling legend, Barry Kinnaird was well known for his indoor and outdoor bowling achievements, participating in many New Zealand opens, Deaf Conventions and international competitions.

NZSL Stories



Est. 1981
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
News Review
In 1981, TVNZ launched News Review – a 15 minute programme (later extended to half-an-hour). News Review was a summary of major national and international news of the week for all New Zealanders. This programme was produced in Christchurch, and was captioned.

2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Merv Forman and Nellie Benney
Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.

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.


2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of Owen Gibbons
Owen Gibbons shares some life experiences in this video shot at his home in Auckland. Using various photographs and props, Owen touches on his many Deaf related involvements and memories, including his times at Deaf school, his working life, his passion for Deaf sports and his family.


1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Athletics at the 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf: Christchurch 1987
The popular athletics interclub and open championship ran to a tight program, from 8:00am to 12:00 noon. The Oxspring Shield for interclub athletics went to Auckland with 32 points. The 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf in Christchurch provided valuable experience for hosting the World Deaf Games to be held in Christchurch in January 1989. At Cowles Stadium, Shona McGhie and Tony Walton are also interviewed by News Review.

NZSL Stories

1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Jean Monk
Memories of Jean Monk (nee Robertson) who was a Sumner School for the Deaf student in the 1920s. Students weren’t allowed to sign but could “move their arms around a bit”.


2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Memories of Doreen Forman
Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.


2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of Verna McRae
Verna McRae is filmed at her home in Napier alongside her husband, John. Verna talks entertainingly about her life growing up on a Manawatu farm, going to Sumner School for the Deaf, work, travelling, and married life.


2009
video – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe
Deaf couple win medals: Kerry Titcombe and Michael Lynch
Michael Lynch and Kerry Titcombe won karate medals when they competed in the Deaflympics in Taiwan (gold and bronze). They are both interviewed on the grounds of Kelston Deaf Education Centre, along with the President of Deaf Sports New Zealand, Nicki Morrison.

NZSL Stories

2006
video – Taonga source: Dan Hanks
President gives tour of old Auckland Deaf Society building
Auckland Deaf Society President Kevin Pivac gives a tour of the Club’s building prior to its demolition and rebuild.

NZSL Stories

1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
‘Spot On’ visits a Deaf basketball training session
The educational TV series ‘Spot On’, visits a Deaf basketball training session to catch up with Royce Flynn and Megan Mansfield, and understand how the sport is played by Deaf athletes, and controlled by a Deaf referee.

NZSL Stories

2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Ray and Polly Forman
Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.

NZSL Stories

1987
article – Taonga source: Lesley Schischka
Skipper sails on silent seas – Deafness no bar to contest racing
One local mariner, 66 year old, Laurence Schischka and his family, enjoy and succeed in sailing in total silence. Schischka, his wife Sylvia and their sons are oblivious to the creaking of the spars, the whir of winches, the thundering of wind billowing sails, even the sloshing of waves against the hull.


2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
On 6th April 2006, members of the Deaf community and supporters gathered on the steps of parliament to celebrate the NZSL Bill passing its Third Reading, becoming the NZSL Act (2006). This marked the end of a long journey to give NZSL official status in Aotearoa New Zealand. This footage was screened on TV3 that evening.


1988
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Spot On interview of Deaf actor in ‘Strangers’
'Strangers' was a TVNZ-produced drama series for children, with one Deaf character played by 7-year-old Sonia Pivac. Reporter Phil Keoghan, from ‘Spot On’, interviews Sonia about being the only Deaf actor in the drama.


biography
Profile
Hemi Hema (QSM)
Hemi Hema received the Queen’s Service Medal (Q.S.M) in 2012 for his services to the Māori Deaf community. Along with Karen Pointon in the same year, Hemi was the first Māori Deaf person to receive such an honour.

1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Inquiry into Curry murder prosecution
The Police Complaints Authority started an inquiry into a murder charge made in 1988 against Ivan Curry, who is profoundly deaf. The weekend screening of a documentary on TVNZ Channel One's 'The Remand of Ivan Curry', had raised concerns about the way the police handled the case.

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

1996
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1996

NZSL Stories

2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Greg Pateman
Greg talks about his passion - Deaf sports, and why the Southern Deaf sport teams are superior to their Central and Northern counterparts!


1990
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Coming Together: A video history of Wellington Deaf Society
A documentary about Wellington Deaf Society created after the 50th anniversary of WDS back in 1988. It includes historic shots of the old WDS at 280 Willis Street, Te Aro, as well as interviews with some of its members.


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.

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.


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.












