1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Ready to lend helping hands to deaf
The class of eight graduates tonight after four months' study learning the variety of sign language used by New Zealand deaf people.
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Awareness Week 1996
Deaf Awareness Week 1996 begins, with a spotlight on Des Barton, who finds the latest technology in hearing aids a great improvement. Angela Sew Hoy highlights that the week is aiming to raise awareness about Deaf people, their language and culture.
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1997
NZSL Stories
1994
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf petition to Telecom
Poor access to emergency services for the deaf could result in a death unless some action is taken soon, say advocates for the deaf. A petition has just been launched to ask Telecom to provide a relay service for that deaf people can call for help.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf defendant no legal right to interpreter
The deaf defendant in the aborted Wanganui murder trial has no legal right to an interpreter, through the Justice Department says it is providing one.
1988
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
They’re naturals for the part
A production this month of the play Children of a Lesser God in Auckland will feature two deaf actors, Bryan Williams and Sheila Gibbons. And the starring role will be played, for the second time, by Gloss actress Miranda Harcourt.
NZSL Stories
2017
article – Taonga source: Stuff
St Theresa’s School sets example for NZSL friendly schools
A Porirua school is being heralded as a great example of inclusive education. St Theresa's School in Plimmerton is the focus of a new short documentary by van Asch Deaf Education Centre, which will be used as a resource to show how to effectively integrate deaf education and culture into schools.
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1990
NZSL Stories
1985
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
First sign language interpreting course
An insight into the teaching and learning of those involved in the first sign language interpreting course in New Zealand 1985.
1981
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa
10,000 Miles Away – Gallaudet College life
Stephen Leach talks about his experience at Gallaudet College in Washington DC, USA.
2018
article – Taonga source: Stuff
An ‘inspirational’ deaf teacher is teaching sign language to hearing toddlers
One deaf teacher in south Auckland has inspired several toddlers and their parents to learn sign language.
biography
Profile
Hemi Hema (QSM)
Hemi Hema received the Queen’s Service Medal (Q.S.M) in 2012 for his services to the Māori Deaf community. Along with Karen Pointon in the same year, Hemi was the first Māori Deaf person to receive such an honour.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader
Marae for the deaf
A marae with a difference will open tomorrow in Kelston - it is for deaf children. Pupils of Kelston Deaf Education Centre will be able to learn more about Maori culture and marae protocol.
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.
2011
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand
God Defend New Zealand: New Zealand National Anthem in NZSL, Maori & English
In NZSL with subtitles in Māori and English; created in collaboration with native speakers of NZSL, Māori & English, and sign language linguists from the Deaf community, with the purpose to create a NZSL translation that was true to the meaning behind the Māori & English lyrics.
2023
article – Taonga source: Bay of Plenty Times
Deaf couple use sign language to organise building a new house
A new house build can be a challenging time for a young couple. But Gregory and Victoria Lessing are also deaf, and undertook a house build from scratch using NZSL.
1989-90
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
2017
video – Taonga source: New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters
Te Tiriti o Waitangi in New Zealand Sign Language
This resource was created for the Treaty Times Thirty project, an initiative by the New Zealand Society of Translators and Interpreters to translate New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti of Waitangi into 30 different languages.
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.
1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf angry at threat facing News Review
Deaf people are angered and disappointed by the threat facing the TV show News Review.
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Future leaders of Deaf community share vision for NZ Sign Language
While NZSL Week runs from May 8-14, young leaders of the Deaf community are continuously advocating for their culture and language in the hearing world every other week of the year.
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: March 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
2003
article – Taonga source: Victoria News, Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL dictionary includes te reo Māori
Deaf New Zealanders now have access to te reo Māori vocabulary in the Online Dictionary of NZSL, compiled by Victoria’s Deaf Studies Research Unit.
2006
video – Taonga source: Ko Taku Reo, Deaf Education New Zealand
NZSL becomes an official language of New Zealand
On 6th April 2006, members of the Deaf community and supporters gathered on the steps of parliament to celebrate the NZSL Bill passing its Third Reading, becoming the NZSL Act (2006). This marked the end of a long journey to give NZSL official status in Aotearoa New Zealand. This footage was screened on TV3 that evening.
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.
1991
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Deaf find unfair hearings in court
Deaf people have had unfair trials through lack of interpreters telling them what is happening in courts.
NZSL Stories
2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign of the times
Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."
2009
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Young girl learns sign language
Twenty-year-old architectural technology student Amanda Cameron can’t help but smile since she’s learnt NZSL.