1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1965
NZSL Stories
1964
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1964
2000
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Manawatu Deaf Society Trophy Cabinet: In Memory of Joan Caroline Bailey 1931 – 1997
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1993
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
John & Laura Hunt’s farewell party
A farewell party is thrown for John and Laura Hunt at the Auckland Deaf Society, prior to their move to Melbourne. The farewell was attended by over 100 members of the Auckland Deaf community.
2009
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard.
Scott on mission to learn more
Palmerston North's Annette Scott is hoping to learn how to involve more deaf people in sport when she goes to the Deaflympics in Taiwan next week. Scott is going as New Zealand's Chef de Mission in a 13-strong tour party, which includes six athletes.
NZSL Stories
1970
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Teaching the Deaf: St Dominic’s School for the Deaf in Feilding
What was school life was like for pupils who attended St Dominic’s School for the Deaf in Feilding? Footage includes hearing tests, classroom teaching, and celebrating a pupil’s 5th birthday with his classmates, before Mass with the Sisters.
1998
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Graduates silent but definitely not joyless
A group of graduating Victoria University students never spoke a word yesterday during the quietest graduation party ever held. The students were New Zealand's first to graduate with a certificate in Deaf studies.
1950
article – Taonga source: Zealandia
World Authorities Impressed by Catholic School for Deaf
A visit to the Catholic School for the Deaf, conducted by the Dominican Sisters in Wellington, was paid recently by Dr. Irene Ewing and her husband, Dr. A.W.G Ewing, renowed authorities on the education of the deaf.
1984
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Mudpools replace ice
Avalanche-free mudpools and geysers have replaced snow and ice for the seven deaf-mute Japanese climbers pulled off Mt Cook on Friday.
1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Special service as deaf marry
Two totally deaf people were married in the Ruawai Methodist Church on Saturday in a service specially modified for the deaf. Mr Moore had spent many hours modifying the service and consulting with the principal of the School for the Deaf, Dr D. Dale.
NZSL Stories
1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf hosts its annual Christmas party
Deaf students dress up and parade around the back of Titirangi School for the Deaf at its annual Christmas party.
NZSL Stories
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Social Evening: Wrapping up the 32nd NZ Games for the Deaf
The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf wrapped up with a presentation dinner-and-dance evening at Addington Raceway’s ‘Twiggers’ on Sunday 25th October 1987. A jam-packed evening with plenty of talking, sitting down, a buffet meal, dancing to live music, and group photos, with the venue closing 1.30am!
NZSL Stories
1991
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
The sounds of silence
Turn the light on, so I can hear what you're saying. It's an old line, but a favourite one among us hearing-impaired people, because it points up how we "hear" with our eyes as surely as blind people "see" with their fingers or their ears.
NZSL Stories
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.
1981
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
World Deaf Games lost to NZ – but not through Boks
New Zealand was passed over in its bid to host the World Deaf Games in 1985 – but not because of any Springbok tour snub, prominent local sports administrator, Mr Alan Barrett, believes.
NZSL Stories
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
End of Year Celebration and Prizegiving 1998: Manawatu Deaf Society Sports Section
The Manawatu Deaf Society Sports Section celebrates its annual End of Year Prizegiving evening at the Clubrooms, with happy hour, dancing, speeches, raffle prizes at a time when smoking was still allowed inside the clubroom!
1997
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
First NZ sign language dictionary
'Wellington' and 'All Black' are just two of hundreds of familiar Kiwi terms – such as Milo, Weetbix, pakeha, Maori and marae – described in A Dictionary of New Zealand Sign Language to ve released next week.
NZSL Stories
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.
1988
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Black and White Fancy Dress Fundraiser for 1989 WGD Christchurch
The Black and White themed Fancy Dress party at Christchurch Deaf Society on 28th May 1988 was a fundraiser for the World Games for the Deaf. Creative members dressed-up as prisoners, punk rockers, Spanish costume dress with bolero, nuns, waitresses, and rugby league players!
NZSL Stories
1997
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A kōrero with Riwia Fox, Māori NZSL interpreter
Riwia Fox, an interpreter is interviewed about her work as a trilingual interpreter. At that time, Riwia was one of only two qualified NZSL interpreters in New Zealand who are Māori, with the other being Stephanie Awheto.
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ celebrates her 90th at ADS!
Kathleen French, Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ and a life member of Auckland Deaf Society celebrates her 90th birthday party at the Balmoral clubroom on 24 May 2003 with approximately 140 people attending.
1977
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Christchurch Women Group: Progressive Dinner
The Christchurch Deaf Women’s Group hosts a progressive dinner. Three courses at three different locations all in one night in 1977!
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW ST. DOMINIC’S SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF OPENING IN FEILDING: Over 3000 Attended Ceremony Yesterday
Over 3000 people flocked to St. Dominic's School for the Deaf yesterday afternoon to hear the Catholic Prelate, His Grace Archbishop P.T.B. McKeefry, bless the new building and officially open it.
1984
article – Taonga source: NZPA
‘Precedent’ worry in stopping climb
The decision to prevent seven deaf Japanese climbers from tackling Mount Cook had set a dangerous precedent, although many people would think it was the right thing to do.
2021
video – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society: Welcome Home Party!
Wellington Deaf Society finally has a new home, a new Deaf Club! A formal opening on Saturday 24 April 2021 to celebrate its new building since selling its Marion Street building in 2015.
2015
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Absolutely Positively Windy Deaf: May 2015
NZSL Stories
1969
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star
They’re shut out-lonely and deaf
Trevor Fear, Auckland's newly-appointed deaf welfare officer talks about his experiences, the deaf community and their needs.
1991
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club: Shipwreck Fancy Dress Party, 20 April 1991
A shipwreck themed fancy dress party – a basketball fundraiser – was organised by the Christchurch Deaf Basketball Club. There are pirates aplenty and dress parades with the best dressed going to Graham Hammond and Joyce Ferguson.
1979
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: June 1979 (Vol. 2, No. 2)
NZSL Stories