1982
article – Taonga source: NZPA
Teletext news service begins
Teletext, TVNZ’s new information service for disabled and general users, will be introduced on February 1. It has cost about $1 million to set up and part of the money came from the 1981 Telethon.
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti
The experiences of Māori Deaf
This segment from Māori TV’s Te Hēteri focuses on the experiences of Māori Deaf, catching up with Patrick Thompson, Whiti Ronaki, and Hemi Hema.
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf [Touchtalk TravelPro]
2016
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate
Danger for deaf drives campaign
A Northland advocate is behind a campaign to get deaf-friendly fire alarms installed in public buildings, after a deaf university student was left behind during a drill. Whangarei's Kim Robinson, chairman of Deaf Action New Zealand, is driving the petition to make visual fire alarms - similar to what many deaf people have in their homes - mandatory in public buildings.
1997
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Art of surviving in silence
An interview with Abbie Twiss on World Deaf Awareness Day, and the start of New Zealand's National Deaf Awareness Week. Here, Abbie looks out from her Elam studio. "My thoughts go much faster than I can write."
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Clever new system for starting
The starting equipment to be used at the Queen Elizabeth II complex is far more sophisticated. It uses a traffic-light type devised by a Christchurch man, Mr Ted Gilliver.
NZSL Stories
1983
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Speech for the deaf
The Minister of Broadcasting was getting in some last-minute swot on sign language, in preparation for a speech tonight to an audience made up mainly of deaf people.
2022
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Signing avatar could help Deaf Kiwis order at fast food drive-throughs
Arash Tayebi’s idea to develop sign language avatar technology is personal. And while Kara Technologies is still in the pilot stage, Tayebi hopes the technology will become easier to access as 24/7 teachers or in emergencies.
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Deaf Awareness Week 1996
Deaf Awareness Week 1996 begins, with a spotlight on Des Barton, who finds the latest technology in hearing aids a great improvement. Angela Sew Hoy highlights that the week is aiming to raise awareness about Deaf people, their language and culture.
1977
article – Taonga source: Sarah Cameron
Success Story
The smile tells the story of the latest development in hearing aids, as 10-year-old Christoph Blum of Karori communicates with his mother.
biography
Profile
Susan Hamilton
Susan was a very active sportswoman who loved being involved in the Deaf community, regularly attending all community events. A renowned Deaf golfer who could be found out on the green each Saturday, Susan was also the President of the Deaf Association from 1994 to 1998 and its Patron from 2008 to 2016.
1993
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Sounds or Silence?
In the early 1990s, due to a breakthrough in technology, cochlear implants were starting to become the norm. The Deaf community worldwide viewed cochlear implants as a device that disregarded the need for access to sign language. Others considered such devices a miracle. In 1993, ‘60 Minutes’ investigated this controversial topic in New Zealand.
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
Pat’s deafness helps others
The new field officer for the deaf, Pat says “…deaf people are not morons.”
NZSL Stories
1983
article – Taonga source: Eastern Suburbs News
Telephone talk for the deaf
Mrs Lilian Walton of Kilbirnie is the proud owner of a new machine which enables deaf people to talk on the phone. For Mrs Walton, the teleprinter means she can "talk" to her deaf son and his deaf wife.
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
News special for the deaf
New Zealand's first television programme for deaf people will be broadcast nationally from Christchurch next Saturday.
1973
Object – Taonga source: Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand
Teletypewriter (TTY) coupler
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.
1996
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
Angela Sew Hoy: A Deaf Chinese New Zealander
‘Asia Dynamic’ catches up with Angela Sew Hoy, to find out what life is like as a Deaf Chinese New Zealander, navigating three different cultures in everyday life.
1982
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Teletext helps hard of hearing
Television New Zealand has begun experimental transmission aimed at introducing a new service which will improve viewing enjoyment for the hard of hearing. Called Teletext, it is intended for daily transmission by next year.
1968
article – Taonga source: Patreena Bryan
A life few people know
Few people with normal hearing stop to consider the daily frustrations faced by the deaf.
1989
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Deaf angry at threat facing News Review
Deaf people are angered and disappointed by the threat facing the TV show News Review.
1995
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Signs from the silent world
Deaf students have the right to equal access to tertiary education but who will pay for sign language interpreters?
2016
article – Taonga source: Manawatū Standard
Teaching the deaf since 1973
Teaching for almost 50 years has proved a rewarding career for Terry O'Brien, who has witnessed the development of deaf education. He has seen the transition of deaf education from an emphasis on teaching verbally and through text, to an emphasis on Signed English then NZSL in the 90s.
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
1993
article – Taonga source: The Weekly News
Deaf parents face the challenge of child-rearing
Whilst most parents face months of sleepless nights when they bring a new baby home, Jackie and Steven are confronted with the opposite problem of not being able to hear their babies crying.
2003
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo
Memories of John and Laura Hunt
John and Laura discuss their eventful lives, including immigrating to New Zealand, meeting the local Deaf community, and how their meeting led to a marriage which at the time of filming had lasted 56 years!
biography
Profile
Lynette Pivac (MBE)
In 1996, Lynette was awarded the Member of British Empire for her services in Deaf education and sign language. She mostly initiated the development of NZSL resources, the training of NZSL tutors and involvement in NZSL teaching issues at national level. She advocated for NZSL and Deaf Studies to be introduced into Deaf education and was the first Deaf Board of Trustees Chairperson.
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Krown Research Porta-Printer II, a portable TTY
2016
article – Taonga source: Stuff
Deaf Auckland University student left alone during fire drill
A deaf student has been left feeling hurt after he was cast aside and forgotten about following a fire drill in a university building. Had it been a proper fire emergency, he would have been in serious danger, he said and wanted to see strobe light alarms installed.
2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign of the times
Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."