1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Spotlight on Pasifika Deaf
Tangata Pasifika visits Kelston Deaf Education Centre and meets with a number of Pasifika Deaf students part of the school’s transition programme, interviewing Rosie Amituanai and her family.
1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, 1977
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.
1992
article – Taonga source: Unknown
New ideas from London course on teaching
Rebecca was recently chosen, aong with seven other deaf New Zealanders, to attend a two-week training course in London to learn the basic concepts of teaching sign language.
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Netball, 2002
NZSL Stories
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
News Review now includes ‘hand sign language’
In 1987, News Review became the first New Zealand programme to incorporate NZSL in its production. The show ceased in 1991 and to date, there has not been a similar programme using Deaf presenters or NZSL in full.
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1991
NZSL Stories
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.
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Action in the World Games for the Deaf basketball tournament at Cowles Stadium
New Zealand was beaten by Australia in the basketball at Cowles Stadium today, 76-63. The New Zealand captain, Tony McGill, put the first points on the board with an impressive three pointer but the Kiwis could not keep the pressure on.
NZSL Stories
2009
article – Taonga source: Palmerston North Diocesan News
We See What You Mean – St Dominic’s past in print
A history of St Dominic's School for the Deaf was launched in March in Feilding and Auckland. 'We See What You Mean' has been the culmination of many years' work by author Dorothy Pilkington and the school's History Society Committee.
2015
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2015 (Vol. 37, No. 2)
1984
article – Taonga source: NZPA
Sir Edmund criticises PM
The New Zealand mountaineer who conquered Mt Everest 30 years ago, Sir Edmund Hillary, has criticised the decision of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, to remove deaf Japanese climbers from Mt Cook.
1978
video – Taonga source: Susie Ovens
Suzanne Ovens on Star Zone!
Susie Ovens, a 12-year-old Deaf girl, participates in ‘Star Zone’ showcasing her miming and theatre skills. Susie wins the New Zealand grand prize and a trip to Melbourne, Australia to participate in another show. At the time of her victory there were no communicators or NZSL interpreters, leaving Susie to figure out at the end of the show whether she had won!
2023
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald.
Whaikaha the first ministry with a name in all of NZ’s official languages
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People has become the first and only government ministry with a name in all three of New Zealand’s official languages.
1987
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty
Using drama as a means of communicating
A group of deaf and hearing-impaired people feature in ‘First Half’, where they “are using drama as a means of communicating”.
2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
On 6th April 2006, members of the Deaf community and supporters gathered on the steps of parliament to celebrate the NZSL Bill passing its Third Reading, becoming the NZSL Act (2006). This marked the end of a long journey to give NZSL official status in Aotearoa New Zealand. This footage was screened on TV3 that evening.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
1970
article – Taonga source: The Times.
Problem that too often falls on ‘deaf ears’…
In Hamilton, there are four deaf units, three at Hamilton West and one at Melville Intermediate. Next year there is going to be a deaf unit at Melville High School.
1965
article – Taonga source: Mexico City Times
Participants In Olympics For Deaf Visit Mexico City
Seventeen New Zealanders, en route to the tenth annual International Games for the Deaf in Washington D.C., have been squeezing some Mexico City sightseeing into a brief lay-over during their trip. New Zealand's contingent, headed by Stewart Smith, includes a basketball team, wrestler, trackmen, table tennis players and a swimmer.
2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Pocket Patch: New Zealand, 4th International Deaf Lawn Bowls Championships – Durban, South Africa
2006
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Northern Zone Women’s Netball, 2006
NZSL Stories
1984
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star
Ref has tough job in a silent world
Peter Downie is a basketball referee of considerable merit, a national badge holder for eight years, Downie recently shifted to Auckland from Christchurch.
NZSL Stories
2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Using sign language as a family
The Fergusons are an average family of five who have fun, sometimes fight but mostly get along. The main difference is that three of them are deaf, and NZSL is the first language for the whole family. How does this work in a busy household with two teens and a toddler? We spend a few days with the Fergusons and discover it works remarkably well. Especially for the eldest Zoe who is exploring advocating for New Zealand deaf youth.
NZSL Stories
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.
1998
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Ten Pin Bowling, 1998
NZSL Stories
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Athletics at the 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf: Christchurch 1987
The popular athletics interclub and open championship ran to a tight program, from 8:00am to 12:00 noon. The Oxspring Shield for interclub athletics went to Auckland with 32 points. The 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf in Christchurch provided valuable experience for hosting the World Deaf Games to be held in Christchurch in January 1989. At Cowles Stadium, Shona McGhie and Tony Walton are also interviewed by News Review.
NZSL Stories
biography
Profile
Daniel ‘Danny’ Beech (Benemerenti Medal)
Daniel (Danny) Beech was born in Pahiatua in 1942 and attended St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children from the age of 5. Danny embarked on a life crammed with commitment and loyalty to the NZ Deaf community.
1986
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Netball, 1986
NZSL Stories
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Lip service
The producer of News Review explains the innovations and experimentations they have made in creating the programme, specially designed for the hard of hearing.
1998
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Graduates silent but definitely not joyless
A group of graduating Victoria University students never spoke a word yesterday during the quietest graduation party ever held. The students were New Zealand's first to graduate with a certificate in Deaf studies.