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.
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.
1999
video – Taonga source: Rae McKie
Deaf Marching Girls at the New Zealand National Marching Championships
The School for the Deaf Marching Girls are invited to perform their routine at the New Zealand National Marching Championships, 45 years after the group was set-up.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1993
NZSL Stories
1980
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Sumner School for the Deaf 100 Years Centenary celebration
Footage by Sue Penman, of members of the Deaf community and their families attending the centenary celebrations at Sumner School for the Deaf, and taking a tour of the school.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
1994
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A Deafening Silence
A ‘Frontline’ documentary that touches upon an on-going topic - Deaf Education - in the Deaf community, not only in New Zealand but worldwide as well. In 2019, the message remains as familiar as it was twenty-five years ago.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1968 (Vol. 6, No. 1)
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”.
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1967 (Vol. 5, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
NZSL Stories
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.
1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Listener
That’s the way we sign it
For most of the week, the deaf in New Zealand are shut off from the television communication the rest of us take for granted. But for half an hour each Sunday, they can join the rest of the world, through a special programme called News Review.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Centenary Flag: van Asch College 1880-1980
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.
1973
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Teacher Of Deaf Dies, Aged 64
The principal of the School for the Deaf, Sumner, died in Christchurch today after a short illness. Herbert Pickering was 64 years old.
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
1979
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman
Trans-Tasman Deaf Games: Opening Ceremony and sports
Coverage of the Trans-Tasman Deaf Games, Lincoln College, Christchurch, 10 January 1979, including opening ceremony and various sports.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1987 (Vol. 1, No. 3)
2023
video – Taonga source: Speak Up Kōrerotia
Speak Up Kōrerotia – Deaf Education in Aotearoa
This special NZSL Week show looks at the history and progression of deaf education in Aotearoa over time, from the oral method of communication taught for decades to the current use and teaching of NZSL. We interview Kay Drew (former teacher at the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch, and a CODA - child of deaf adults) and Sara Pivac Alexander (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University)
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
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!
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 3)
NZSL Stories