reset filter
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Dennis Robinson

Dennis talks about his past struggles and joys in life, his love of ten pin bowling and travel, punctuated with jokes and stories.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Sounds or Silence?

In the early 1990s, due to a breakthrough in technology, cochlear implants were starting to become the norm. The Deaf community worldwide viewed cochlear implants as a device that disregarded the need for access to sign language. Others considered such devices a miracle. In 1993, ‘60 Minutes’ investigated this controversial topic in New Zealand.
Television New Zealand Archive
1989
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Fielding school for deaf closes

New Government policy on educating disabled children has ended more than three decades of teaching deaf children at St Dominic's in Feilding.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Aotearoa New Zealand Deaf History: Classroom lesson plans
Aotearoa New Zealand Deaf History: Classroom lesson plans
Aotearoa New Zealand Deaf History: Classroom lesson plans
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Aotearoa New Zealand Deaf History: Classroom lesson plans

SignDNA has created six lesson plans that can guide learners through some themes within the archive, such as language change, Deaf gatherings, and Deaf in the media.
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Additions To School For The Deaf: Opened At Fielding By Archbishop McKeefry

A great step forward in what is a unique work of Christian charity and education in New Zealand was taken last Sunday, November 28, with its opening. The additions to the school consist of a splendid new block providing classrooms and dormitories.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
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.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Michelle Kruger
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.
1946
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet

Making the Deaf Hear and the Dumb Speak: The Splendid Work of St. Dominic’s School, Wellington.

Two years ago, the New Zealand Dominicians opened a Catholic school for deaf children at 15 Dover Street, Island Bay, Wellington. The article records the impressions of a Wellington journalist who visited the school recently.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of Verna McRae

Verna McRae is filmed at her home in Napier alongside her husband, John. Verna talks entertainingly about her life growing up on a Manawatu farm, going to Sumner School for the Deaf, work, travelling, and married life.
Hilda Tamepo
2000
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Ivan and Hilda Tamepo

In an open and touching interview, Ivan and Hilda tell their tales of growing up in New Zealand, and look back on photos from their deaf schooling years.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Patreena Bryan
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF NEW INSTITUTION: PROVISION FOR 54 CHILDREN

Deaf children from all parts of New Zealand are gradually overcoming their affliction at St. Dominic's School for the Deaf, situated at Aorangi, near Feilding.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
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.
Lorraine Butler
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2002
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

In full voice

This fascinating book provides insight into a community about which most people are unaware. This is the world of Deaf culture, of Deaf as an identity, not a disability or deficit – Deaf with a capital D.
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

Memories of John Peterson

Born in Mumbai, India where his parents ran a tea farm, John Peterson shares his life story at his home in the Eddowes Pensioner Village, at Balmoral, next to Auckland Deaf Society. Filmed on 3 August 2003.
Mary Johnson
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.
AUT Visual Languages Section
1968
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Deaf children enjoy a car rally

Children from Sumner School for the Deaf test their navigational abilities in a car rally at Sumner.
Television New Zealand Archive
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

Memories of Kathleen French

Kathleen French was often called the ‘Auckland Deaf Grandmother’ due to her long and pioneering life in the Auckland Deaf Community. In this video Kathleen talks about her colourful life and talks us through some photos at the end.
Mary Johnson
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Jean Monk

Memories of Jean Monk (nee Robertson) who was a Sumner School for the Deaf student in the 1920s. Students weren’t allowed to sign but could “move their arms around a bit”.
Dorothy Jones
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of John McRae

John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
Hilda Tamepo
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • Patreena Bryan
1995
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Howell (Forman)

Memories of Doreen Howell, a life member of Wellington Deaf Society, was recorded on 9 July 1995 at Pam and Kaz Witko's place.
Pam Witko
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Greg Pateman

Greg talks about his passion - Deaf sports, and why the Southern Deaf sport teams are superior to their Central and Northern counterparts!
AUT Visual Languages Section
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.
AUT Visual Languages Section
1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Listener

Communication

Whakatane teacher Ruth Gerzon looks at some of the problems facing the deaf, in particular the controversy on how they should be taught.
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.
NZ Herald.
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.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1997
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Perry Strawson

Perry Strawson entertains with stories and funny tales from his life; what it’s like to enjoy sports and travel as a young Deaf man.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Michelle Kruger
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Merv Forman and Nellie Benney

Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Ray and Polly Forman

Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
  • Ruth Jessep
1978
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

People like us – ‘Deaf Education and Technology’

A look into the world of Deaf people, in particular a glimpse into Deaf education at the time, and how technology improves the lives of Deaf people, with Daniel Beech demonstrating the use of a TTY.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre