Est. 1980s
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The Sign Singing Superstars
Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.
1992
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times
Ivan’s story perfectly told
A review of 'The Remand of Ivan Curry', a docudrama about the deaf man held on remand for 2 years accused of murdering his nephew.
1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Ivan Curry case goes to police authority
The Police Minister expects the Police Complaints Authority to inquire into questions arising from the documentary 'The Remand of Ivan Curry'.
1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf angry at threat facing News Review
Deaf people are angered and disappointed by the threat facing the TV show News Review.
2013
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2013
2012
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: March 2012
1982
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
TVNZ plan deaf service
TVNZ says that several hundred pages of detailed information can be made available and rapidly selected by the viewer. The information ranges from frequently updated news and weather, both national and regional, to travel and consumer and social services media.
1969
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star
They’re shut out-lonely and deaf
Trevor Fear, Auckland's newly-appointed deaf welfare officer talks about his experiences, the deaf community and their needs.
1984
article – Taonga source: Southern News
Helping deaf to communicate
There is still much lack of understanding among the general public about the needs of deaf people, says Pat Dugdale, field officer in Wellington for the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
NZSL Stories
2014
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian
A modern tale of two deaf children
Deaf pupil Rahui Lee, 11, leads the year 7 and 8 class in a sign language game of mastermind, in which pupils have to guess a mystery four-digit number by signing.
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
1978
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Total Communications camp, shown on ‘The South Tonight’
New Zealand's first total communications camp for Deaf children takes place in Tautuku, South Otago.
1980
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Helen Keller: The great made her their heroine
To mark the centenary of the birth of Helen Keller on June 27, 1880, Pat Dugale has written about unusual experiences in her life.
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.
2015
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian
Sign language menu tests guests
CQ Restaurant in Cuba St has launched a NZSL menu where guests sign to order their meal. Talia Carlisle tests her knowledge during NZSL Week.
1946
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Teaching The Deaf To Speak
Margaret is one of some 21 kiddies, aged from five to seven years, who for the most part born deaf, are receiving special instruction at St. Dominic's School for the Deaf at Island Bay, Wellington, the first Catholic institution of its kind to be established in the Dominion.
1994
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf petition to Telecom
Poor access to emergency services for the deaf could result in a death unless some action is taken soon, say advocates for the deaf. A petition has just been launched to ask Telecom to provide a relay service for that deaf people can call for help.
NZSL Stories
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign of the times
Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."
1978
article – Taonga source: Courier News
New Deaf Unit at Hutt Valley College
Nine third-formers, all described as "profoundly deaf", began secondary school this year at Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College.
1992
article – Taonga source: Nelson Mail
Living in a silent world
This week is Deaf Awareness Week. Nelson Mail reporter interviewed two women from Nelson's deaf community this week: Fliss Maera and Susan Thomas. The Nelson Club has between 25 to 30 members.
NZSL Stories
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Manawatu Deaf community farewells Terry O’Brien
The Manawatu Deaf community thanks Terry O’Brien for his service as a Teacher of the Deaf. Terry taught for over 30 years at Freyberg High School in Palmerston North which had a Deaf Unit that St Dominic’s pupils often went on to attend.
1977
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Lower Hutt 1977
Coverage of the Labour Weekend NZ Deaf Sports Convention at Lower Hutt, Wellington in 1977.
NZSL Stories
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.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 2009
NZSL Stories
1974
article – Taonga source: Eastern Suburbs News
Successful integration of the deaf depends on community attitudes
If a New Zealand-born person doesn’t speak good English, people are likely to assume such a person is unintelligent. Such an assumption is wrong when the person is born deaf.
1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Overcoming the invisible handicap
It takes only a few minutes in the company of Pat Dugdale to realise that she has a mischievous sense of fun. It’s almost as if she enjoys shocking people and then watching their reaction.
1968
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Group Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Christchurch Deaf Convention Tour Party, 1968
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Strong medical presence
The 1400 officials and competitors at the World Deaf Games will be well attended by a large group of medical doctors, St John Ambulance officers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and masseurs. Drug and gender tests will also be a part of the workload.
NZSL Stories
2016
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard
Teaching the deaf since 1973
Teaching for almost 50 years has proved a rewarding career for Terry O'Brien, who has witnessed the development of deaf education. He has seen the transition of deaf education from an emphasis on teaching verbally and through text, to an emphasis on Signed English then NZSL in the 90s.