1984
article – Taonga source: Southern News
Deaf people can need psychiatric help
Profoundly deaf people, particularly those deaf from birth of an early age, have needs which are not being met by the existing psychiatric services and institutions, says Pat Dugdale, Field Officer for the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
NZSL Stories
biography
Profile
Noeline ‘Patty’ Still (MNZM)
Patty, born 1932, received the M.N.Z.M in 2003 for her involvement in many activities and initiatives within the Deaf community. Patty was recognised for her efforts in promoting NZSL through her teaching of NZSL, and her work raising public awareness via her performances with the Christchurch Silent Singers group.
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.
1991
article – Taonga source: Contact
Music will help those who cannot hear it
The Wellington Deaf Society urgently needs new premises, and 51 American Barber Shop singers will help to raise the $200,000 needed to buy them. The society has $80,000 saved from 53 years of street appeals. Noel Ramsey, a volunteer worker, is disppointed ticket sales for the concert has been slow.
NZSL Stories
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1989
NZSL Stories
Est. 1992
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Rūaumoko Marae
Rūaumoko Marae has been part of Deaf Māori community for 30 years and is a central part of Deaf Māori community. It's a place where Deaf Māori can just be; they can connect and learn about te ao Māori.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1993
NZSL Stories
2018
article – Taonga source: Stuff
An ‘inspirational’ deaf teacher is teaching sign language to hearing toddlers
One deaf teacher in south Auckland has inspired several toddlers and their parents to learn sign language.
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Split over how to teach deaf worries parent
Parents of deaf children would be saddened to hear that educationists oppose teaching deaf pupils the technique of "total communication", a parent has stated in a letter to the Post.
1993
article – Taonga source: City Voice
Deaf viewers ask for a hand
People who can hear as well as see 'Reasonable Doubts' (TV3, 9.50pm Saturdays) might be surprised to learn that Deaf New Zealanders can understand deaf lawyer Tessa Kaufman’s sign language little better than they can. ASL, used by Deaf actor Marlee Matlin, is a foreign language here. My Deaf friends give it the thumbs up. But the failure of television in New Zealand to provide anything in NZSL is described as “a running sore” by Hilary McCormack.
NZSL Stories
2020
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Inside Outside: Rachel Berry
Rachel Berry lives with her flatmates in Christchurch, where they’re often out exploring. Three out of four in their house are Deaf, so at home they use NZSL.
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
NZAD Newsletter, March 1993
Signed version of the NZAD newsletter in March 1993.
NZSL Stories
2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
NZ sign language becomes official – Capital D for deaf?
The room is full of waving hands and exaggerated facial gestures. Even though the room is silent the dozen women are "talking" with each other just as volubly as if they were having a chinwag. It is a women's only class in New Zealand's latest offical language - NZSL.
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.
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Aotearoa New Zealand Deaf History: Classroom lesson plans
SignDNA has created six lesson plans that can guide learners through some themes within the archive, such as language change, Deaf gatherings, and Deaf in the media.
1976
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1976 (Vol. 13, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Deaf people CAN lead a ‘normal’ life….
– and Val Jillings and her deaf family prove it! This is Deaf Awareness Week – so the Quota Club of Auckland will hold week-long displays, video films and discussions in the city’s Downtown Walkway and Centrecourt.
1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap
On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
NZSL Stories
1995
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Signs from the silent world
Deaf students have the right to equal access to tertiary education but who will pay for sign language interpreters?
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1990
NZSL Stories
biography
Profile
Anthony ‘Tony’ Walton (CNZM)
Tony received the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to the Deaf community. Tony has had a broad involvement in many areas of the Deaf community, having been President of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and successfully hosting the World Deaf Games in 1989.
NZSL Stories
1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: March 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
1993
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Ivan Curry case has positive spinoff
Some good has resulted from the tragic case of deaf man Ivan Curry who was found not guilty after nearly two years in jail for murder, says the Deaf Association.
NZSL Stories
2001
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Loud and clear
The deaf community believes it has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for too long. Now it wants to be seen and heard as a group with its own cultural identity.
1983
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Sign Language Puts The Deaf in Tune
The Deaf Sign Singers have a busy schedule this year with performances throughout the North Island.
NZSL Stories
1970s onwards
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Telethons
Telethons were run nationwide in New Zealand in 1975-79, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-91, 1993 and 2009. The 24-hour fundraiser would take place in regions around New Zealand and was broadcast on TV. Viewers would be shown coverage of the telethon nearest to their location. Smaller regions would typically see coverage of the telethon in one of the main centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin), and it was in those areas where Deaf people were invited to participate.
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Ava Buzzard (2002)
Ava Buzzard talks about life growing up in Christchurch, her hobbies, moving to Auckland as well as her children and their educational upbringing.
NZSL Stories
2023
article – Taonga source: The Northland Age
Sign of the times: Teaching of New Zealand’s third official language growing ‘bigger and better’
Far North Mayor Moko Tepania may be the best-known Far North face learning NZSL, but he’s in growing company.
Est. 1981
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
News Review
In 1981, TVNZ launched News Review – a 15 minute programme (later extended to half-an-hour). News Review was a summary of major national and international news of the week for all New Zealanders. This programme was produced in Christchurch, and was captioned.
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
The Māori Deaf world: Interviews with Whiti Ronaki, Stephanie Awheto and Michael Wi
This raw, edited footage consists of interviews with Whiti Ronaki, Michael Wi and Stephanie Awheto - a trilingual interpreter, on topics relevant in the Māori Deaf world.
