1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1963
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Debate of Eloquent Hands
An observer tags along to watch delegates from the N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention at their annual meeting in Wellington, noting “sometimes debates flared, and a number of delegates were gesticulating wildly, making their points.”
NZSL Stories
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1992
biography
Profile
Susan Hamilton
Susan was a very active sportswoman who loved being involved in the Deaf community, regularly attending all community events. A renowned Deaf golfer who could be found out on the green each Saturday, Susan was also the President of the Deaf Association from 1994 to 1998 and its Patron from 2008 to 2016.
1987
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty
Using drama as a means of communicating
A group of deaf and hearing-impaired people feature in ‘First Half’, where they “are using drama as a means of communicating”.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
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.
1978
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Catholic Deaf Newsletter: April 1978 (Vol. 1, No. 1)
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
1998
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
New Zealand’s first bilingual deaf unit
New Zealand's first official "bilingual" deaf unit attached to a primary school will be opened next week. The unit teaches both NZSL and English. Mr Buchanan, who will head the unit, is one of six deaf teachers teaching the deaf in New Zealand.
2002
video – Taonga source: Kevin and Lynette Pivac
Māori & Pacific Island Deaf play against Japan Deaf Rugby XV
TVNZ’s Marae programme features the friendly game between Deaf Māori & Pacific Island Invitational XV and the Japan Deaf Rugby team. It includes the pre-match team talk with coach Richard Peri, karakia from kaumatua Ivan Tamepo, and discussions with assistant Togia Lanefale. It concludes with highlights of the match which was closely fought but finally won by Japan 20-17.
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Patrick Thompson discusses upcoming wānanga for Māori Deaf
Patrick Thompson is interviewed on the ‘Marae’ programme, a bilingual Māori and English language current affairs show, about setting up a wānanga to enable Māori Deaf to access te reo Maori and Tikanga Maori.
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.
1987-91
video – Taonga source: Susan Thomas
News Review – Montage
A collection of clips from the ‘News Review’ programme 1987-1991.
1992
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Police complain to TVNZ about Curry documentary
The Ivan Curry documentary has prompted the deaf community to insist that professional sign language interpreters be used in all police and court work in future.
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.
1982
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
TVNZ plan deaf service
TVNZ says that several hundred pages of detailed information can be made available and rapidly selected by the viewer. The information ranges from frequently updated news and weather, both national and regional, to travel and consumer and social services media.
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Athletics at the 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf: Christchurch 1987
The popular athletics interclub and open championship ran to a tight program, from 8:00am to 12:00 noon. The Oxspring Shield for interclub athletics went to Auckland with 32 points. The 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf in Christchurch provided valuable experience for hosting the World Deaf Games to be held in Christchurch in January 1989. At Cowles Stadium, Shona McGhie and Tony Walton are also interviewed by News Review.
NZSL Stories
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
News Review now includes ‘hand sign language’
In 1987, News Review became the first New Zealand programme to incorporate NZSL in its production. The show ceased in 1991 and to date, there has not been a similar programme using Deaf presenters or NZSL in full.
2007
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Deaf people being left on the outer
A shortage of sign language interpreters means as many as 7700 deaf people are struggling to access services in their communities.
NZSL Stories
1995
video – Taonga source: Chris Blum
Friends of Young Deaf (FYD) Explained
FYD Leader Chris Blum explains how the programme works.
1994
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: October 1994
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
38th New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, Labour Weekend 1995
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.
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.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Interpreters spent year on training
Nearly 90 Christchurch people have spent the last year training to be interpreters at the World Games for the Deaf, with about 50 deaf people teaching the volunteers their language.
NZSL Stories
1985
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 3)
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf View conferences
The series of national Deaf View conferences have been organised by Deaf people in New Zealand spanning three decades. Each conference has successfully created a platform for better awareness and understanding of Deaf culture and NZSL language; and nurturing links for a stronger Deaf community at a local, national and international level. They also celebrated the rich achievements and diversity of the Deaf community over the past 30 years as well as often pointing the way forwards, for a better resourced and more empowered Deaf community.
1978
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
New Zealand Catholic Deaf Newsletter: August 1978 (Vol. 1, No. 2)
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Basketball finals pull in the crowds at the NZ Deaf Games, Christchurch 1987
The popular basketball programme was hosted over two days at Cowles Stadium with footage coverage of the Manawatu and Christchurch ladies competing for the Otago Deaf Society Cup, which Manawatu won (19-15). The winner of the Cunliffe Memorial Cup (men’s) went to Christchurch, with the runner up Wellington (63-56).
NZSL Stories