1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Patrick Thompson discusses upcoming wānanga for Māori Deaf
Patrick Thompson is interviewed on the ‘Marae’ programme, a bilingual Māori and English language current affairs show, about setting up a wānanga to enable Māori Deaf to access te reo Maori and Tikanga Maori.
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
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1989 (Vol. 23, No. 3)
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."
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1997
1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Sign language boost
Research on the complex sign language that deaf New Zealanders have created could push education authorities to recognise the language's authenticity. It has taken an American linguist to document the distinctive language.
2001
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Māori Deaf Wānanga
Wānanga held in 2001, involving both Deaf and hearing Māori, focusing on NZSL skills, learning about community and culture as well as socialising and having fun.
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Julie Bullivant
Julie Bullivant tells her story about what it was like growing up deaf and attending van Asch, a deaf boarding school.
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Patreena Bryan
Patreena Bryan (also known as Pat, with her sign name being TAP – a play on her name) is filmed at AUT talking to NZSL interpreting students. Married with two sons, Patreena talks about her schooling days at Titirangi and her involvement with the Deaf community.
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.
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.
Est. 1949
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
New Zealand Deaf Games
The New Zealand Deaf Games (formerly the New Zealand Deaf Societies Convention until 1970, when it began to be called the New Zealand Convention of the Deaf, then the New Zealand Games for the Deaf, before changing once again in 2003 to the New Zealand Deaf Games). Traditionally held in October during Labour Weekend since 1949, the Games was a great opportunity for generations of Deaf New Zealanders to meet, socialise, exchange information and to keep NZSL alive. In 2017, Deaf Sports New Zealand held a SGM to vote on changes to its constitution and bylaws. Since then, there has not been a NZDG.
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.
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1999
2003
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2003
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring 1997
NZSL Stories
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.
2003
article – Taonga source: Bay Harbour News
Patty Still – active role model for deaf community
In late July, Woolston grandmother Noeline 'Patty' Still joined a special group of New Zealanders in Wellington for the official presentation of the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours medals. Patty was there to receive her MNZM for her services to the deaf community.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
NZSL Stories
2022
video – Taonga source: Māori Television
Deaf filmmaker aspires to make TV series in sign language
A turi (deaf) filmmaker hopes to create a TV series entirely in NZSL to showcase the language to the world. Jared Flitcroft (Ngāti Maniapoto) enjoys telling stories from all kinds of people and perspectives but says stories from the Māori deaf community are imperative.
2017
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Tee Shirt: 4th National Deaf Youth Camp
NZSL Stories
2012
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2012 (Vol. 34, No. 4)
2022
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week: Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga
Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga was on a troubled trajectory in life until he got his hands on te reo and connected with his Māori culture. Hokianga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou) and Kim Robinson of Deaf Action New Zealand are delivering a groundbreaking initiative in the form of an eight-week course to be held, ideally, across 20 Northland marae.
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.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1995
NZSL Stories
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
Connecting with Māori culture: an interview with Joanne Klaver
Raw footage of an interview with solo mother Joanne Klaver, attempting to connect with a Māori culture she was denied growing up, and one of her two sons, Charles, who is also Deaf.
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.
1992
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Treatment of deaf man is modern horror story
The documentary 'The Remand of Ivan Curry (One, Sunday 9.35) was the story of how a man could spend two years in a New Zealand prison without trial. A deaf man arrested for a murder he did not commit who was kept in jail through lack of police investigation then turned back onto the streets with nothing, not even an apology.
NZSL Stories