
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.



1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992





NZSL Stories


1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society
There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.





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


1986
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Easter 1986 (Vol. 9, No. 1)



NZSL Stories


1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
News Review update on finals at 1989 World Games for the Deaf
News Review presents a round-up of coverage of the 1989 World Games for the Deaf including a feature on a Deaf-blind wrestler, as well as the closing stages of games in the menâs football, volleyball and basketball.


NZSL Stories


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parentâs Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1955)
Annual Parentâs Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance â tumbling, boxing, puppetry, ball handing and ballet.









NZSL Stories


1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Deaf Couple Marry
The bride and groom and three other members of the wedding party were deaf and 30 of the guests had also attended the School for Deaf at Titirangi, where the bridge and groom met. Mr Moore says that although a wedding of a deaf couple was not unusual in Auckland, he thinks it is the first time such a ceremony has taken place in Northland.





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


1986
video – Taonga source: NgÄ 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.




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


1987
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times
Getting the deaf off their hands
Auckland film-maker Ann Andrews has embarked on a project that Television New Zealand initially regarded as unpalatable last year She is making a film about deaf people. Anne is allowing the deaf to use their first language â sign language.


1992
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
A journey through the 50 years of Auckland Schools for the Deaf
A NZSL narrated video taking viewers through the history of Auckland Schools for the Deaf, from Newton East, Myers Park, Titirangi, Mt Wellington and finally, Kelston.


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


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Christmas parade at Titirangi School for the Deaf
The courtyard at Titirangi School for Deafâs came in handy in events such as the Christmas parade with everyone in fancy dress!









NZSL Stories


1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: April 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 1)







1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995





NZSL Stories


1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Where are the deaf children?
This footage appears to be an early attempt in creating an educational filming activity for deaf children at Titirangi School for the Deaf.









NZSL Stories


1957
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parentâs Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1957)
Annual Parentâs Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance â dancing, tÄ«tÄ«tÅrea (short stick games) with end-of-year prizes.









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.


1988
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Here’s to Games
Three officials of the World Games for the Deaf pause to toast the success of the venture, as teams from more than 30 countries arrive in Christchurch.
NZSL Stories


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 â about one-third of the cost of the opening ceremony planned for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
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


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


1987
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
A silence full of sounds
Wellington actor Miranda Harcourt who plays Sarah in Children of a Lesser God, understands her character's sentiments. She spent eight months learning sign language before the play opened at Dunedin's Fourtune Theatre in October.





1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 1)





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


1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Special service as deaf marry
Two totally deaf people were married in the Ruawai Methodist Church on Saturday in a service specially modified for the deaf. Mr Moore had spent many hours modifying the service and consulting with the principal of the School for the Deaf, Dr D. Dale.





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.


1956
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Picnic by the Parau Camp House
Titirangi students and their families picnic at the Parau Camp House in West Auckland. The property was purchased in 1955 and groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend here.









NZSL Stories







