reset filter
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

Letter to the Editor: Total communication

Bruce McHattie, having just returned from a world conference for the deaf in Rome, says that New Zealand is so far behind in the rest of the world in services for the deaf.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1979
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

‘Speaking’ shown on ‘The South Tonight’

Total Communication is promoted on ‘The South Tonight’ by MOACOM, a newly formed influential group.
Television New Zealand Archive
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
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
1965
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

St Dominic’s gives a Catholic education to Deaf boys and girls

Several clips of teaching and classroom scenes at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with one-on-one speech therapy, oral communication methods, a physical education class, the Rotarians Picnic Drive, playing with jet aeroplanes, folk dancing and their annual Christmas party.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1968
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

A Deaf Child in the Family

“A Deaf Child in the Family” is an award-winning film which shows authentic scenes from Deaf education centres at Kelston, St Dominics and Sumner, produced as a resource for families of deaf children.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia

Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa

This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)
Speak Up Kōrerotia
1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

A Deafening Silence

A ‘Frontline’ documentary that touches upon an on-going topic - Deaf Education - in the Deaf community, not only in New Zealand but worldwide as well. In 2019, the message remains as familiar as it was twenty-five years ago.
Television New Zealand Archive
1946
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Teaching The Deaf To Speak

Margaret is one of some 21 kiddies, aged from five to seven years, who for the most part born deaf, are receiving special instruction at St. Dominic's School for the Deaf at Island Bay, Wellington, the first Catholic institution of its kind to be established in the Dominion.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
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
1981
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

Deaf people CAN lead a ‘normal’ life….

– and Val Jillings and her deaf family prove it! This is Deaf Awareness Week – so the Quota Club of Auckland will hold week-long displays, video films and discussions in the city’s Downtown Walkway and Centrecourt.
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
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
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Winter 1999

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Split over how to teach deaf worries parent

Parents of deaf children would be saddened to hear that educationists oppose teaching deaf pupils the technique of "total communication", a parent has stated in a letter to the Post.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Patreena Bryan
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
  • Tony Walton
2001
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Loud and clear

The deaf community believes it has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for too long. Now it wants to be seen and heard as a group with its own cultural identity.
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon

Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon, recorded on 27 June 2000. They were both foundation members of Manawatu Deaf Society – founded on 7 July 1962. Keith was awarded life membership of Manawatu Deaf Society on 16 December 2000.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
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
1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Specialist in deaf education on NZ visit

From the day a child is diagnosed as being profoundly deaf, he should learn the system of "total communication," advocates Australian educationist Mr Brian Reynolds.
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Ava Buzzard (2002)

Ava Buzzard talks about life growing up in Christchurch, her hobbies, moving to Auckland as well as her children and their educational upbringing.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
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
1974
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

Deaf News of New Zealand: 1974 (Vol. 11, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt