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.
1962
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Driver training for Deaf students
Two traffic officers visit Kelston to teach older Deaf students the drivers road code.
NZSL Stories
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
2017
article – Taonga source: Western Leader.
Milestone in deaf education
A multimillion dollar education centre is helping deaf students communicate. More than 400 people attended the opening of the Kelston Deaf Education Centre (KDEC) rebuild on February 28, 2017.
2003
publication – Taonga source: Deaf Education Aotearoa New Zealand
Deaf Education Aotearoa New Zealand Journal: Spring 2003
2014
video – Taonga source: Ministry of Education
Ko Wai Au? Who Am I? See My Voice?
A video with six rangatahi communicating their stories of being young Turi Māori (Māori Deaf). The topics they discuss include recognition and acknowledgement of Deaf people in the past, Dame Whina Cooper and the impact of Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
1997
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Deaf woman goes to head of class
Struggles in her own schooling as she grew up made profoundly deaf Auckland woman Sarah Cameron want to be a teacher. Her ambition came true yesterday when she became the first deaf person to graduate with a mainstream secondary teacher's diploma.
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: February 1984
NZSL Stories
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.
1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf hosts its annual Christmas party
Deaf students dress up and parade around the back of Titirangi School for the Deaf at its annual Christmas party.
NZSL Stories
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The inaugural Deaf Festival is hosted at Kelston Deaf Education Centre
Deaf children are taught drama skills by two Deaf visitors from the UK, in preparation for their show at the opening night of the inaugural Deaf Festival, hosted by Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1989
NZSL Stories
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1966 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Mime put to use
Susie Ovens, born 97% deaf, uses mime as one of the many methods to relate to the hearing world. She is also a member of the “Deaf Sign Singers”, a group of 11 deaf people who perform sign language to music.
NZSL Stories
1964
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
The Governor-General and his wife visits Kelston School for the Deaf
The Governor-General Sir Bernard and Lady Fergusson visited Kelston School for the Deaf on 4 April 1964. They were entertained by swimming and gymnastics display by its deaf pupils.
biography
Profile
Lynette Pivac (MBE)
In 1996, Lynette was awarded the Member of British Empire for her services in Deaf education and sign language. She mostly initiated the development of NZSL resources, the training of NZSL tutors and involvement in NZSL teaching issues at national level. She advocated for NZSL and Deaf Studies to be introduced into Deaf education and was the first Deaf Board of Trustees Chairperson.
1974
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
14-year-old Deaf boy is a precision artist
For two years, 14-year-old Steven Menefy has been making graphic wall plaques.
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
1996
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Group Photo: Northern Team, 39th N.Z. Deaf Games, Auckland 1996
NZSL Stories
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1989
NZSL Stories
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The modern NZSL dictionary is launched
The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: October 1994
NZSL Stories
1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
School for the Deaf pupils visit Auckland Zoo
Deaf pupils visit Auckland Zoo and enjoy group rides on an elephant at the zoo.
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
NZSL Stories
1986
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1986 (Vol. 22, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1967 (Vol. 4, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
2001
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan
Team Photo: Wellington/Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, 2001
NZSL Stories
1997
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Art of surviving in silence
An interview with Abbie Twiss on World Deaf Awareness Day, and the start of New Zealand's National Deaf Awareness Week. Here, Abbie looks out from her Elam studio. "My thoughts go much faster than I can write."
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
NZSL Stories