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
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1993
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
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.
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
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.
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1990
NZSL Stories
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.
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: July 1995
NZSL Stories
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1989
NZSL Stories
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.
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.
1990
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Getting the best from a less-than-perfect body
Some make a fuss, dress up and do it because its fashionable. Others do it for the sport and for the good of their bodies. Peter Barker, who is deaf, is one of the others.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 2009
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.
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1991
NZSL Stories
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The modern NZSL dictionary is launched
The modern dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language has been launched, and the 'Tonight' crew visit Kelston Deaf Education Centre to see Deaf students and their NZSL tutors making good use of the resource.
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.
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.
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.
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
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Spring 1998
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.
2003
publication – Taonga source: Oticon Foundation
Soundscape: September 2003
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1993
NZSL Stories
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1997
2012
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2012 (Vol. 34, No. 2)
2013
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald.
Mean thieves drive off in deaf couple’s van
A deaf couple are appealing to the public for help after the family's van was stolen from outside their home. Mita Moses and Kathy Strongman want their vehicle back so they can carry on providing a normal life for their family of four children.