reset filter
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
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
1986
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1986 (Vol. 22, No. 3)

1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 3)

biography
Profile

Jennifer Brain (QSM)

Jennifer received the Queens Service Medal in 2007 for services to the New Zealand Deaf Community. She was well known for her leadership with the New Zealand Association for the Deaf. Jennifer became the first Deaf Leadership Tutor promoting community and Deaf youth leadership, before becoming the first Deaf Chief Executive Officer in 1999. Through her work, Jennifer was ahead of her time with the strategic planning of many Deaf community projects including Deaf awareness and Deaf leadership.
biography
Profile

John Rua (Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal)

John Rua is a Master Carver, a living tohunga in his art. He has carved thousands of stunning artefacts which have been displayed in maraes and museums across the country, including the carving of Te Tira Hou meeting house in Auckland, Ohope Marae in Whatakane and Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum in the South Island. His most noticeable achievement was training carvers at the Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae in Christchurch, a project which took 8 years to complete.
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
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Marae for the deaf

A marae with a difference will open tomorrow in Kelston - it is for deaf children. Pupils of Kelston Deaf Education Centre will be able to learn more about Maori culture and marae protocol.
1992
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Sports Day at Kelston Deaf Education Centre

Kelston Deaf Education Centre hosts its annual sports day, with athletics, swimming and prizegiving.
Susan Hamilton
1970
video – Taonga source: Pam and Doug Croskery

Deaf social rugby match: Married vs Single men

An informal annual rugby game between teams of Deaf men, married and single, which was played on one of Kelston Deaf Education Centre’s fields.
Pam and Doug Croskery
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.
Susan Hamilton
1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

A Deafening Silence

A ‘Frontline’ documentary that touches upon an on-going topic - Deaf Education - in the Deaf community, not only in New Zealand but worldwide as well. In 2019, the message remains as familiar as it was twenty-five years ago.
Television New Zealand Archive
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Deaf learn Maori culture

A Maori house of learning for deaf children was opened at the Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland yesterday after many hours of voluntary work by deaf adults and pupils.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 7, No. 1)

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.
Susan Hamilton
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
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.
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.
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.
Susan Hamilton
1958
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Rugby Union: Kelston vs St Kentigern College

Kelston School for the Deaf had a rugby team that played in the secondary school Grade 2C division, coming third in the 1958 season. Kelston beat St Kentigern 16 to 0.
Susan Hamilton
2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff

Aotearoa’s first Deaf marae celebrates 30 years of empowering Turi Māori

Friday marks 30 years since the opening of the country’s first marae for Deaf and hard of hearing Māori. Since 1992, Rūaumoko Marae, in West Auckland’s Kelston, has been a place where Deaf students can learn about te ao Māori.
Stuff
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.
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.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: March 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 1)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

Opening of the Advance Centre

The opening of the Advance Centre, a tertiary support centre for Deaf and hearing impaired students in the Auckland region, attended by Hon Ruth Dyson, Minister for Disability Issues, and Patrick Thompson - Māori Deaf leader.
Rūaumoko Komiti
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

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 – sign language.
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
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.