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1978
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Shared Benefits at Sumner

Sumner School for Deaf Children has taken an adventurous step by beginning a trial integration of a class of 'hearing' children into the school.
Wellington Deaf Society
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
biography
Profile

Elizabeth ‘Maree’ Carroll (QSM)

Maree has given decades of generous service to the community in which she lives. Maree was heavily involved in organising the St Dominic's School for the Deaf school reunions which enabled the school community to remain connected over many decades. Maree was instrumental in establishing the Manawatu Deaf Society, taking a leading role.
1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Curry case highlights Deaf plight

A television documentary on the plight of a deaf man has spurred the Glen Eden-based New Zealand Association of the Deaf into action. It wants to see the man, wrongly imprisoned for two years, receive compensation for his ordeal.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1978
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Hanley Shield: Auckland Deaf Dramatic Competition

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Easter 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

Mime put to use

Susie Ovens, born 97% deaf, uses mime as one of the many methods to relate to the hearing world. She is also a member of the “Deaf Sign Singers”, a group of 11 deaf people who perform sign language to music.
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
2017
video – Taonga source: Meghan Coppage

Memories of Susan Hamilton

Susan Hamilton is interviewed by Meghan Coppage, where she recounts a range of experiences from her life. From growing up at a Deaf school, to her memories of time in the Deaf community in bygone days, to seeing the changes at Kelston Deaf Education Centre including the transition to new school building.
Meghan Coppage
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: June 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1970
article – Taonga source: The Times.

Problem that too often falls on ‘deaf ears’…

In Hamilton, there are four deaf units, three at Hamilton West and one at Melville Intermediate. Next year there is going to be a deaf unit at Melville High School.
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: June 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Hunt
New Zealand Deaf Games
New Zealand Deaf Games
New Zealand Deaf Games
Est. 1949
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

New Zealand Deaf Games

The New Zealand Deaf Games (formerly the New Zealand Deaf Societies Convention until 1970, when it began to be called the New Zealand Convention of the Deaf, then the New Zealand Games for the Deaf, before changing once again in 2003 to the New Zealand Deaf Games). Traditionally held in October during Labour Weekend since 1949, the Games was a great opportunity for generations of Deaf New Zealanders to meet, socialise, exchange information and to keep NZSL alive. In 2017, Deaf Sports New Zealand held a SGM to vote on changes to its constitution and bylaws. Since then, there has not been a NZDG.
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Plaque: In Appreciation, Auckland Deaf Society – Inaugural Deaf Rugby World Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
1989
article – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe

Deaf easily skirt language hurdle

Deaf people can communicate country to country with more ease than those who can speak. It is not because they have an international sign language – each country has its own – but because it is a visual language.
Kerry Titcombe
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

Being Māori Deaf: Interview with Patrick Thompson

Raw footage of an interview with Patrick Thompson attempting to connect with a Māori culture he was denied growing up. Patrick provides a voice for Māori Deaf, to grow understanding about the challenges they face, and to promote the importance of NZSL.
Rūaumoko Komiti
1991
article – Taonga source: The Guardian

Deaf drama group presents NZ first

The Manawatu Deaf Drama Group (MADEDRA) will present a show at Abbey Theatre, before taking it to Auckland for the Deaf View Conference and eventually, hope to travel overseas.
2001
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

Māori Deaf Wānanga

Wānanga held in 2001, involving both Deaf and hearing Māori, focusing on NZSL skills, learning about community and culture as well as socialising and having fun.
Rūaumoko Komiti
1984
article – Taonga source: Contact

Deaf friends

Deaf people in the Wellington region now have a new organisation, Friends of the Deaf, an umbrella group for all the deaf organisations in the area.
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.
1984-85
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Mini Booklet: NZ and USA sign language alphabet, in preparation for the upcoming XV World Deaf Games 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Canterbury beats Wellington in a game of rugby league

A game of rugby league between the Canterbury and Wellington boys in 1991. The game was played at Hampshire Park, Christchurch on 11 May 1991. Canterbury beat Central, 42-26, followed by a post-match social and further celebrations at Christchurch Deaf Society.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1992
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Canterbury plays Wellington ‘Lions’ in a close match of rugby league

The Wellington ‘Lions’ Rugby League team assembled at the Randwick Club to welcome their Canterbury opponents. After the match, players and supporters enjoy the Randwick hospitality before moving on to a private venue.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1984
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Autumn 1984 (Vol. 7, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
biography
Profile

Mary Johnson (MNZM)

Mary has contributed to the Deaf community as a hardworking and willing volunteer for over 50 years. She was recognised in the 2010 New Years Honours list when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). She was a founding member of the Otago Deaf Society, where she served as president, and was also a founding member of the Manawatu Deaf Club.
2021
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate

Deaf community rally for fully funded sign language interpreters at festivals and events

Northland's deaf community are rallying to get sign language interpreters at major events, anniversaries and festivals such as Waitangi Day and Anzac Day commemorations. Deaf Action NZ and Tū Tāngata Turi want the Government to fully fund New Zealand sign language interpreters for formal coverage of events, along with social interpreting throughout the day.
The Northern Advocate
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Manawatu Deaf community farewells Terry O’Brien

The Manawatu Deaf community thanks Terry O’Brien for his service as a Teacher of the Deaf. Terry taught for over 30 years at Freyberg High School in Palmerston North which had a Deaf Unit that St Dominic’s pupils often went on to attend.
Dorothy Jones
1973
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Telephones For The Deaf Are Opening Up A New World Of Communication

A revolutionary device which opens up a whole new world for those born deaf is now being demonstrated in Wellington. New Zealand is the only second country in the world to adopt the system so far.
Est. 2006
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Social Club: Ladies Pairs – Darts

Manawatu Deaf Society
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Manawatu Women’s Group celebrates its 30th birthday!

The fine women of the Manawatu Women’s Group celebrate their 30th birthday, and tell stories about their time in the Women's group. Games, cake-cutting, photo montages up for viewing and lots of reminiscing, before the ladies head out for a well-attended dinner at a restaurant open to all, even the men!
Dorothy Jones