reset filter
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee

The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1982
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Coping in a hearing world

Rachel Noble and Donna Allen, both 17 and profoundly deaf, talk about their experiences in education.
Wellington Deaf Society
1965
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Twenty-One Years: St Dominic’s at Feilding

A look at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf twenty-one years after its opening at Dover Street, to its relocation to Feilding. ‘Twenty-One Years’ features speech therapy, classroom activities and ballet, swimming and sewing lessons, as well as its infamous Gala Day and a Mass in its Chapel.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
  • Richard Hay
  • Cecilia Waitohi
1978
article – Taonga source: Courier News

New Deaf Unit at Hutt Valley College

Nine third-formers, all described as "profoundly deaf", began secondary school this year at Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College.
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

Demolition at van Asch, 1980

Footage of the demolition of the ‘Main Building’ of van Asch College, April 1980.
Sue Penman
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.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Where are the deaf children?

This footage appears to be an early attempt in creating an educational filming activity for deaf children at Titirangi School for the Deaf.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
  • John Mansell
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Est. 1958
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)

Kelston Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; previously Kelston School for the Deaf). Kelston was established on a site in Archibald Road in 1958. The school had relocated firstly from Titirangi, then from Mt Wellington. KDEC used to provide education in a range of satellite classes throughout Auckland the upper North Island. Kelston, which also hosts Rūaumoko Marae, merged with van Asch Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

‘Deaf Book’: First NZSL dictionary makes it to print

Dan Levitt’s work on the first NZSL dictionary in 1985 popularised the name, ‘New Zealand Sign Language’. In this news segment, Dan describes the different between the English Signing System and NZSL.
Television New Zealand Archive
1989
article – Taonga source: NZPA

Games Open In Bright Display

A crowd of 4000 cheered and waved as about 1400 athletes and officials resplendent in national colours marched into the stadium as a reminder that the first World Games for the Deaf were held in Paris in 1924.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1989
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Second gold to U.S. cyclist

At the basketball, also at Cowles Stadium, the New Zealand women beat Australia, 91-65, to notch the host country's first win in the sport. New Zealand led 45-26 at half-time and is now in the running for the bronze medal.
Pam Witko
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: March 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1997
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald

Deaf woman goes to head of class

Struggles in her own schooling as she grew up made profoundly deaf Auckland woman Sarah Cameron want to be a teacher. Her ambition came true yesterday when she became the first deaf person to graduate with a mainstream secondary teacher's diploma.
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

School For The Deaf Is £68,000 Addition To Catholic Charities

The new St. Dominic's School for deaf children, which is set in spacious 23-acre grounds and can accommodate between 40 and 50 children, is the only institution for deaf children in New Zealand not operated by the State.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2010

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Cecilia Waitohi
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
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
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.
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1967 (Vol. 4, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1993
article – Taonga source: The Guardian

Top Communicator

Local man Lindsay Jones has a national reputation as a skilful storyteller. Unless more people learn sign language, however, that recognition is likely to remain limited mainly to the deaf community.
1953
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet

IS THERE NO HOPE AT ALL? Plight of Deaf Children

St. Dominic's is a mile or so on the Palmerston side of Feilding. Set back across the railway line from the highway is a fine old country mansion framed by trees and lawns. At one side are the former barns and stables, now being used as temporary classrooms. On the other side the builders are busy completing new classrooms for use next year; when these are finished they will begin work on the children's new sleeping quarters adjoining.
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 7, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Spotlight on Pasifika Deaf

Tangata Pasifika visits Kelston Deaf Education Centre and meets with a number of Pasifika Deaf students part of the school’s transition programme, interviewing Rosie Amituanai and her family.
Television New Zealand Archive
1980
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

Sumner School for the Deaf celebrates its centenary (100th)

Members of the Deaf community and their families attend the centenary celebrations at Sumner School for the Deaf.
Dennis Tod
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
Rūaumoko Marae
Rūaumoko Marae
Rūaumoko Marae
Est. 1992
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Rūaumoko Marae

Rūaumoko Marae has been part of Deaf Māori community for 30 years and is a central part of Deaf Māori community. It's a place where Deaf Māori can just be; they can connect and learn about te ao Māori.
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Michelle Kruger
  • John Schischka
  • Richard Hay
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Cecilia Waitohi
1955
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand

National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – 75th Jubilee

The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to report on progress in the education of deaf children and to check out the school's 75th Jubilee celebrations.
Archives New Zealand
Est. 1978
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Hanley Shield: Auckland Deaf Dramatic Competition

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell