1980
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Two founding members of Christchurch Deaf Club take a trip down memory lane
Cyril Pruden and Douglas Ashley, two founding members of the Christchurch Deaf Club, discuss the club’s history at its Armagh Street location.
1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko
The Silent Olympics
The team of 17 deaf athletes are farewelled at Kelston School for the Deaf, with official team photos, before leaving for the 10th International Games for the Deaf at Washington D.C.
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of John McRae
John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
NZSL Stories
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1964 (Vol. 2, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of John Peterson
Born in Mumbai, India where his parents ran a tea farm, John Peterson shares his life story at his home in the Eddowes Pensioner Village, at Balmoral, next to Auckland Deaf Society. Filmed on 3 August 2003.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1979
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: September 1979 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Board of trustees accepts extra challenges at school for deaf
Board member Ava Buzzard, who has been deaf since birth, is excited by the chance to have a greater role in a school she has been involved with for many years.
biography
Profile
Anthony ‘Tony’ Walton (CNZM)
Tony received the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to the Deaf community. Tony has had a broad involvement in many areas of the Deaf community, having been President of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and successfully hosting the World Deaf Games in 1989.
NZSL Stories
1944
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet
Catholic Education For Deaf-Mute Children
The story of Catholic Deaf-Mute education, what has been done for deaf students by Dominican Nuns, and the new St. Dominic’s School for Deaf Children in Wellington.
Est. 1880
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; formerly Sumner School for the Deaf then van Asch School for the Deaf). The school has a long and illustrious history, with its services covering a huge geographical spread. Established in 1880, van Asch was the oldest special school establishment in New Zealand and also believed to be the oldest fully government funded residential school in the world. van Asch celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2005. It merged with Kelston Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.
2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Greg Pateman
Greg talks about his passion - Deaf sports, and why the Southern Deaf sport teams are superior to their Central and Northern counterparts!
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of Verna McRae
Verna McRae is filmed at her home in Napier alongside her husband, John. Verna talks entertainingly about her life growing up on a Manawatu farm, going to Sumner School for the Deaf, work, travelling, and married life.
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!
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Ray and Polly Forman
Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.
NZSL Stories
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
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.
1959
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf Marching Girls
The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
NZSL Stories
1985
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 3)
1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Centenary Flag: van Asch College 1880-1980
1941-1971
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
The National Film Unit
From 1941 to 1950, the National Film Unit produced the Weekly Review and from 1952 to 1971, the Pictorial Parade. Government owned, the Unit’s work included visits to schools to show the country positive stories about the future of New Zealand and the good work that was being done. This included visits to Sumner and St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Jean Monk
Memories of Jean Monk (nee Robertson) who was a Sumner School for the Deaf student in the 1920s. Students weren’t allowed to sign but could “move their arms around a bit”.
Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
75th Jubilee Memorial Shield: Tug-of-War between New Zealand Deaf Societies
NZSL Stories
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1969 (Vol. 7, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1995
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Memories of Doreen Howell (Forman)
Memories of Doreen Howell, a life member of Wellington Deaf Society, was recorded on 9 July 1995 at Pam and Kaz Witko's place.
2003
article – Taonga source: Bay Harbour News
Patty Still – active role model for deaf community
In late July, Woolston grandmother Noeline 'Patty' Still joined a special group of New Zealanders in Wellington for the official presentation of the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours medals. Patty was there to receive her MNZM for her services to the deaf community.
2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Memories of Doreen Forman
Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.