1969
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Runs Hard At Drop Of Hanky
Noel Coventry is a 22-year-old deaf athlete and the sole New Zealand representative going to the Deaf Olympics in Yugoslavia. Club officials would drop a handkerchief for him to sight as a sign that the starting gun had been fired.
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
1986
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
The Magic Park
In November 1986, film maker Ann Andrews organised a week-long drama workshop for six 13 year olds from Kelston School for the Deaf. The workshop concluded with the play, The Magic Park, written and acted by the students.
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.
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves
We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
NZSL Stories
1987
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Making sense of silence
The play, Children of a Lesser God, opens at Wellington's Circa Theatre next week. The theatre is arranging a special showing of the play, with an interpreter, for deaf people, their families and tutors.
1991
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
The sounds of silence
Turn the light on, so I can hear what you're saying. It's an old line, but a favourite one among us hearing-impaired people, because it points up how we "hear" with our eyes as surely as blind people "see" with their fingers or their ears.
NZSL Stories
1988
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
They’re naturals for the part
A production this month of the play Children of a Lesser God in Auckland will feature two deaf actors, Bryan Williams and Sheila Gibbons. And the starring role will be played, for the second time, by Gloss actress Miranda Harcourt.
NZSL Stories
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of John McRae
John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
NZSL Stories
1987
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Communicating from a silent world
Jenny Griffiths, the mother of two profoundly deaf children, talks about communicating with them in Total Communication.
1961
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Kelston School for Deaf sends its netball and rugby teams to Russell
Kelston School for Deaf sends its netball and rugby teams to Russell.
NZSL Stories
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
1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Annual Sports Day at Mt Wellington
Annual school sports day at the large grounds at Mt Wellington, with the school surrounded by farmland. The Titirangi children travelled to Mt Wellington by buses. Mt Wellington closed once the Kelston hostel block opened in 1960.
NZSL Stories
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
News Review: Ready, Set, Go!
Susan Thomas takes the reins at the studio this week on ‘News Review’. The team recaps footage from the World Games of the Deaf which wrapped up on the Tuesday before. Watch records being broken, and some footage of our Kiwi athletes in action!
NZSL Stories
1959
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Sports Day at Kelston School for the Deaf
The School for Deaf annual sports day is held at Kelston with athletics, long jumping, relay races and performances.
NZSL Stories
1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf students picnic at Motuihe Island
Boarding students at Titirangi School for the Deaf are treated to a day out to Motihue Island (Te Motu-a-Ihenga) in the Hauraki Gulf, 17 kilometres from downtown Auckland.
NZSL Stories
1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Christmas parade at Titirangi School for the Deaf
The courtyard at Titirangi School for Deaf’s came in handy in events such as the Christmas parade with everyone in fancy dress!
NZSL Stories
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
ADS Badminton Club celebrates its 40th birthday!
The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!
NZSL Stories
Est. 1880
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; formerly Sumner School for the Deaf then van Asch School for the Deaf). The school has a long and illustrious history, with its services covering a huge geographical spread. Established in 1880, van Asch was the oldest special school establishment in New Zealand and also believed to be the oldest fully government funded residential school in the world. van Asch celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2005. It merged with Kelston Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.
1987
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
An actor learns about being deaf
Children Of A Lesser God, a play that tackles the communication problems faced by deaf people, opens at Circa tomorrow night. Suzanne Pollard talks to two of the cast about their roles.
1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1955)
Annual Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance – tumbling, boxing, puppetry, ball handing and ballet.
NZSL Stories
Est. 1958
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; previously Kelston School for the Deaf). Kelston was established on a site in Archibald Road in 1958. The school had relocated firstly from Titirangi, then from Mt Wellington. KDEC used to provide education in a range of satellite classes throughout Auckland the upper North Island. Kelston, which also hosts Rūaumoko Marae, merged with van Asch Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1992
1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Day trip to the Parnell Baths
Students at Titirangi School for the Deaf are treated to a day trip to the Parnell Baths.
NZSL Stories
1984
article – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
New Lynn Lions Club sponsor deaf youths on an exchange overseas
The New Lynn Lions Club has scored a first. The club is the first in the country to sponsor deaf youths on an exchange overseas. It is sending Sally Robertson (19) and Lyndon Malcolm (19), both of Titirangi, to Oregon for about eight weeks.
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
1960
article – Taonga source: John McRae
N.Z. wrestler wins 2 medals
Auckland welterweight wrestler John McRae captured a silver medal and a bronze at the Olympic Games for the Deaf in Helsinki.
NZSL Stories
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
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW INSTITUTION AT FEILDING OPENED AND BLESSED
Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A.A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic's School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon.
NZSL Stories