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.
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.
2019
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
Interview: Victoria Lessing from Merge NZ talks about learning NZSL and its benefits
Victoria Lessing, Merge NZ Co-Director, talks with Seecus about learning NZSL and its benefits.
2018
video – Taonga source: Merge NZ
NZSLTA Hui 2018
The New Zealand Sign Language Teacher's Association Hui in October 2018 was a great weekend of professional development for those that teach, and want to teach NZSL.
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1989
NZSL Stories
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1991
NZSL Stories
biography
Profile
Mary Johnson (MNZM)
Mary has contributed to the Deaf community as a hardworking and willing volunteer for over 50 years. She was recognised in the 2010 New Years Honours list when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). She was a founding member of the Otago Deaf Society, where she served as president, and was also a founding member of the Manawatu Deaf Club.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 2009
NZSL Stories
2012
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2012 (Vol. 34, No. 2)
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring 1998
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1989
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.
1991
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
NZSL Tutors attend an intensive City Lit Training course in London
In the history of NZSL teaching, perhaps the most important development was when 8 NZSL tutors attended a two-week intensive teaching course in London in 1991. Watch this condensed version (taking from almost 29 hours of footage!) to get a sense of what the training was like.
NZSL Stories
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
2010
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard
Sign language ‘necessity not choice’
Six months after deaf and hearing-impaired children in the region lost their deaf tutor, problems with the teaching of NZSL continue. "NZSL is not a choice, it's a necessity and we have to give these kids a voice," mother Charmaine Strickland said.
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1989
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: July 1995
NZSL Stories
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Susan Thomas (1998)
Susan, born as the only deaf person in a hearing family, talks about the dialect differences in sign between the South Island and the North Island, oralism, moving cities, participating in the Trans-Tasman Games, and meeting her husband, Paul.
2004
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Susan Thomas (2004)
Susan Thomas talks about her many life experiences, love of sports, and what it was like to work on ‘News Review’ as a Deaf presenter in the late 1980s.
NZSL Stories
2019
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard.
Deaf woman helps others learn sign language over a pint
Candice David was only 3 when she lost her hearing. Now, she's helping others learn her only form of communication, NZSL. Candice was at Palmerston North bar Brew Union on Sunday, offering free NZSL tutorials to all patrons.
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.
2018
video – Taonga source: Deaf Children New Zealand
NZSL and Us: Diamond Johnson, Hamilton
Diamond is a bubbly and active little girl who loves a challenge. Her whānau embraces all three of New Zealand’s languages: English, Te Reo Māori and NZSL. Her mother is determined to improve her NZSL by attending sign language classes so she that she will be able to communicate with Diamond fully as she grows up. Her whānau has a strong commitment to ensure Diamond is exposed to as much NZSL as possible including access to Deaf role models.
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1997
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.
2021
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald.
Deaf Northlander Eddie Hokianga urges Māori to turn their hand towards trilingual interpreter roles
Northland sign language tutor Eddie Hokianga has taken up the task of ensuring the region's deaf Māori community is heard. Hokianga (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou) has spent the last three years teaching te reo sign language to help fill a national void of interpreters fluent in the discourse.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1993
NZSL Stories
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 2009
NZSL Stories
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 2009
NZSL Stories