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2009
video – Taonga source: Asia Downunder

Sign of the times

We meet Kaori Kobayashi, the first Asian Deaf Teacher in New Zealand.
Asia Downunder
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
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.
Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
  • John Mansell
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.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1966 (Vol. 4, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1967 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: December 1995

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
1999
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

Deaf Association opens its new Auckland office

The Deaf Association of New Zealand opens its new offices on Great North Road, Avondale, Auckland in November 1999.
Rūaumoko Komiti
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1964 (Vol. 2, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1968
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

A Deaf Child in the Family

“A Deaf Child in the Family” is an award-winning film which shows authentic scenes from Deaf education centres at Kelston, St Dominics and Sumner, produced as a resource for families of deaf children.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1985
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington

First interpreting course graduation – 1985

The Sign Language Interpreting course graduation ceremony September 1985, after 14 weeks training.
Victoria University of Wellington
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 2)

1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Listener

Communication

Whakatane teacher Ruth Gerzon looks at some of the problems facing the deaf, in particular the controversy on how they should be taught.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: March 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
1986
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty

A ‘Mime and Masks’ show by Deaf Drama Group: A Visit to Kiwiland

A Deaf Drama group perfoms 'A Visit to Kiwiland' at Kelston with supporting acts by the Sign Singers. The evening fundraised $766.00 towards the purchase of a TTY and to sponsor two pupils from Kelston to attend the World Deaf Games in Christchurch 1989.
Ngaire Doherty
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1972 (Vol. 9, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
1996
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Group Photo: Northern Team, 39th N.Z. Deaf Games, Auckland 1996

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1960
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand

Kelston School for the Deaf students treated to a trip to Mt Ruapehu

Students from Kelston School for the Deaf enjoy a two-day trip to a snowy Mt Ruapehu.
Archives New Zealand
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1972 (Vol. 9, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
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.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1963-64
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1963-64 (Vol. 1, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Milton Reedy
1960
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Formal opening of Parau, a beach property with a large brick hostel

Parents of deaf children raised thousands of pounds to buy a beach property at Parau where a large brick hostel was built. Groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend there.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1998
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

New Zealand’s first bilingual deaf unit

New Zealand's first official "bilingual" deaf unit attached to a primary school will be opened next week. The unit teaches both NZSL and English. Mr Buchanan, who will head the unit, is one of six deaf teachers teaching the deaf in New Zealand.
1980
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: June 1980 (Vol. 3, No. 2)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1959
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Extended version: Te Pakanga o Whau performs at the opening ceremony of Kelston

The opening of Kelston on a site in Archibald Road featured the infamous ‘Te Pakanga o Whau’ (The Battle of Whau) in 1959 where 86 deaf students acted in an outside play featuring a Māori-Pakeha battle near a big gum tree field.
Susan Hamilton
1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: October 1994

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Patreena Bryan
  • Milton Reedy
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.
1992
video – Taonga source: Point of View Productions

‘See What I Mean’

'See What I Mean' presents two real-life stories: the story of a family who were all born Deaf, and a journalist who loses her hearing. It offers positive advice about hearing loss as well as celebrating the New Zealand Deaf community.
Point of View Productions