COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf View conferences
The series of national Deaf View conferences have been organised by Deaf people in New Zealand spanning three decades. Each conference has successfully created a platform for better awareness and understanding of Deaf culture and NZSL language; and nurturing links for a stronger Deaf community at a local, national and international level. They also celebrated the rich achievements and diversity of the Deaf community over the past 30 years as well as often pointing the way forwards, for a better resourced and more empowered Deaf community.
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
After decades of crusading for NZ’s deaf community, Auckland woman honoured as ‘local hero’
The New Zealander of the Year will be announced tonight and as part of it, a number of local heroes have been recognised. One of them is Aucklander Victoria Lessing, who has been deaf her whole life and has spent 20 years raising the profile of NZSL. Two years ago, her passion developed into a company called Merge NZ, which she runs alongside her business partner, Jaime Brown.
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.
2001
video – Taonga source: Lorraine Butler
Deaf Diversity – Queer Nation
Queer Nation meets a sporty lesbian with nimble fingers. Lorraine talks about her identity, involvement with Deaf sports, performing and access, emphasising that Deaf people are really no different from hearing people.
NZSL Stories
2006
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: February 2006
1991
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Māori Deaf and Deaf education
A look at the cultural education needs of Māori Deaf students. Māori Deaf are likely to experience more barriers in the education sector. Interviews undertaken by ‘Marae’ shows us that the multiple cultural identities of Māori Deaf are not completely accommodated for with aspirations on how to resolve this.
1989
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1989 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
2020
article – Taonga source: Stuff
I feel included’: How press briefings with NZSL are making a difference
For many people in the Deaf community, the coronavirus pandemic was the most they had ever seen their language on television. But its meant more than simply accessing information – it includes the Deaf community in conversations.
2019
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf children need better access to New Zealand Sign Language to close the education gap
Lack of access to interpreters means deaf children are missing out on education. There are about 3600 children in the deaf education system, of which about 96 per cent attend mainstream schools. There are just three NZSL educational interpreters working full time with students, meaning most children were missing out.
1985
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Good sign for the deaf
A course to train professional interpreters for the deaf, now being run in Auckland, is the first of its kind in New Zealand.
NZSL Stories
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring/Summer 1999
2007
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: February 2007
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1993
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
News Review covers some difficult topics
Ava Buzzard presents more news in NZSL during the weekly News Review TV show. This segment covered a news report that aired directly after partial coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.
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
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.
1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology
An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.
1992
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington
Dictionary for the language of the deaf
Nearly quarter of a million dollars in sponsorship has been raised for the NZSL dictionary, a joint effort by the University and the New Zealand Association of the Deaf.
1992
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Needs of deaf people given ‘low’ priority
New Zealand Sign Language must be given official recognition as a language or it will die, Deaf Association President Jennifer Brain says.
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
2014
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Fewer Kiwis can use sign language
James Whale can speak as well as any 5-year old but sometimes he lets his hand do the talking. The Wellington boy and his family are among the dwindling number of Kiwis who can use NZSL.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Blacks’ first ever international match
Holmes’ Jo Malcolm catches up with the Deaf Blacks team at their training in Christchurch in preparation for the first of three upcoming test matches against the visiting Deaf South Africans - the first ever international match for both sides.
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.
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
Interview: Jamie Brown from Merge NZ talks about the impacts and benefits of learning NZSL
Jaime Brown, Merge NZ Co-Director, learned NZSL and didn't just find a language, but a community and a passion. Seecus talks to Jaime about the impacts NZSL has had for her and the benefits of learning sign language.
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.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1995
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992
NZSL Stories
1991
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Signs break the ice
Lower Hutt's Myra Sullivan showing hearing people how to use sign language at a workshop for the deaf held at Wellington College of Education yesterday.
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
NZAD Newsletter, November 1993
Jennifer Brain, the President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (NZAD) presents their monthly newsletter in NZSL.
NZSL Stories
1989-90
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
