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.
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”.
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1993
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Van Asch parents upset at idea of role change
The deaf community in Christchurch is appealing for van Asch College to remain a special school for deaf children, after some parents in Sumner and Redcliffs have suggested it become a secondary school.
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.
1984
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
You and Your Child – Deaf edition
'You and Your Child' programme focuses on Deaf children, education and language and interview some parents about their Deaf children.
1980
article – Taonga source: Education News
“Deaf kids aren’t dumb you know?” 100 Years of Education for the Deaf
Van Asch College, as it will now be known, is no longer a school exclusively for the deaf.
1965-66
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1965-66 (Vol. 3, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
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.
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1966 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1947
video – Taonga source: Archives New Zealand
National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf – Student life
The National Film Unit visits Sumner School for the Deaf to film a typical day at the school.
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Advertisement: 16th World Games for the Deaf
Tickets for the opening ceremony are at $8.00 while the closing ceremony is at $5.00. All other tickets prices are listed: $3.00 per ticket for 1 venue entry. $6.00 per ticket entry to all venues on 1 day. $40 ten venues entry on any day.
NZSL Stories
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
NZSL Stories
2001
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Loud and clear
The deaf community believes it has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for too long. Now it wants to be seen and heard as a group with its own cultural identity.
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.
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: September 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 5)
NZSL Stories
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.
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1965 (Vol. 3, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 3)
NZSL Stories
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)
NZSL Stories
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves
We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
NZSL Stories
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995
NZSL Stories
1990
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Team wins at contest just by taking part
The four skipped by Margaret Coutts lost both matches at the national women's bowls tournament in Wellington yesterday. But they didn't mind.
1985
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: Christmas 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 3)
1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW INSTITUTION AT FEILDING OPENED AND BLESSED
Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A.A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic's School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon.
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.
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.
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
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: September 1979 (Vol. 2, No. 3)