Est. 1980s
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The Sign Singing Superstars
Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.
1965
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Twenty-One Years: St Dominic’s at Feilding
A look at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf twenty-one years after its opening at Dover Street, to its relocation to Feilding. ‘Twenty-One Years’ features speech therapy, classroom activities and ballet, swimming and sewing lessons, as well as its infamous Gala Day and a Mass in its Chapel.
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
1990
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Games viewers riled by breaks for ads
Deaf people were incensed when a television commentator at the Commonwealth opening last night referred to an athlete as "deaf and dumb".
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Big sporting event on shoestring budget
The Games will be about the same size as the 1974 sporting extravaganza in Christchurch, the Commonwealth Games. Yet it has been orchestrated on a budget of $700,000 – about one-third of the cost of the opening ceremony planned for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
NZSL Stories
2008
video – Taonga source: Brent Macpherson
My Second Home: Auckland Deaf Society
A 43-minute documentary taking you through the history of Auckland Deaf Society, the second home of the Deaf community of Auckland.
NZSL Stories
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader
Deaf learn Maori culture
A Maori house of learning for deaf children was opened at the Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland yesterday after many hours of voluntary work by deaf adults and pupils.
1979
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Trans-Tasman Games hosted in Christchurch, 1979
Opening ceremony of the Trans-Tasman Games, Including a traditional Maori welcome for the Australian team.
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1989
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Deaf All Whites crushed 18-0
The New Zealand team found itself out of its depth in the World Deaf Games soccer tournament, being crushed 18-0 by Netherlands in its opening match on Saturday night at Queen Elizabeth II Park.
NZSL Stories
1987
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: December 1986 (Vol. 9, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
biography
Profile
Elizabeth ‘Maree’ Carroll (QSM)
Maree has given decades of generous service to the community in which she lives. Maree was heavily involved in organising the St Dominic's School for the Deaf school reunions which enabled the school community to remain connected over many decades. Maree was instrumental in establishing the Manawatu Deaf Society, taking a leading role.
1990
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Welcome 1990 Haere Mai!
The Auckland Sign Singers were invited to perform with others in a three-hour entertainment special to celebrate 1990 which was broadcast live from Bastion Point on TV One at 7.30pm.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
The inaugural Deaf Festival is hosted at Kelston Deaf Education Centre
Deaf children are taught drama skills by two Deaf visitors from the UK, in preparation for their show at the opening night of the inaugural Deaf Festival, hosted by Kelston Deaf Education Centre.
1960
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Formal opening of Parau, a beach property with a large brick hostel
Parents of deaf children raised thousands of pounds to buy a beach property at Parau where a large brick hostel was built. Groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend there.
NZSL Stories
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Foundation Stone Ceremony
The foundation stone ceremony for the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre 1958.
NZSL Stories
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
School For The Deaf Is £68,000 Addition To Catholic Charities
The new St. Dominic's School for deaf children, which is set in spacious 23-acre grounds and can accommodate between 40 and 50 children, is the only institution for deaf children in New Zealand not operated by the State.
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Michael Wi, Māori Deaf
Michael Wi, is profiled on ‘Marae’, where he shares his experience of growing up as Māori Deaf in a paheka-centric education environment, and learning as an adult about tikanga Māori, and marae protocols.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Nice touch to start of Deaf Games
A touching moment at the opening of the World Games for the Deaf appeared to set the tone for the competition. The entire United States team lined up to touch hands with the Russian athletes as the Soviet team marched into place.
NZSL Stories
1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: March 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Singing and signing
The price in being part of the 600-strong Commonwealth Games opening ceremony choir as they use sign language to sing is evident.
1989
video – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe
16th World Games for Deaf – News Review segment
News Review coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch 1989.
NZSL Stories
1965-66
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1965-66 (Vol. 3, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
2017
article – Taonga source: Western Leader.
Milestone in deaf education
A multimillion dollar education centre is helping deaf students communicate. More than 400 people attended the opening of the Kelston Deaf Education Centre (KDEC) rebuild on February 28, 2017.
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
The experiences of Māori Deaf
This segment from Māori TV’s Te Hēteri focuses on the experiences of Māori Deaf, catching up with Patrick Thompson, Whiti Ronaki, and Hemi Hema.
2002
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth camp
The 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth camp (APDYC) was held from 12-19 January 2002 at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Turangi. Altogether, there were 43 Deaf youths from 12 countries, 15 youth leaders, 10 interpreters and a couple of guest speakers present.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: July 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 2)
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.
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Joan Bailey films Deaf performing at the Palmerston North Telethon!
Local Manawatu Deaf people appear on Telethon to sign a song, after Joan Bailey films a range of Deaf people at their workplaces - a welder, spraypainter, seamstress, data entry clerk and joiner.