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1974
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Putting Them In Touch: New World Opened For Deaf With ‘Talking Telephones’

Anthony and Christine Walton, both deaf, are recipients of one of the first phonotypes to be installed in the Wellington area.
1974
article – Taonga source: The Dominion

Deaf people can now use the telephone

So far, four teleprinter phonetype telephones have been installed in the homes of totally deaf people in the Wellington area. They can be hired from the Wellington branch of the New Zealand deaf communications network.
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.
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.
Television New Zealand Archive
2013
article – Taonga source: Stuff

Fire drill at Auckland University an ‘opportunity’ for deaf students

Auckland University's fire drill on Monday left a deaf student feeling forgotten, but could be an opportunity for change, advocates say. Profoundly deaf psychology student Dean Buckley, 21, didn't know about the evacuation until he saw a fire warden yelling at him, minutes after everyone else in his building had fled outside.
Stuff
1998
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

‘Inside Out’ interviews Hilary McCormack: Deaf education, advocacy and technology

An ‘Inside Out’ interview with Hilary McCormack where she talks about the advent of NZSL in Deaf education, advocacy and changing technology in the New Zealand Deaf community.
Deaf Aotearoa
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

Telecommunications Device for the Deaf [Touchtalk TravelPro]

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
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.
Stuff
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Krown Research Porta-Printer II, a portable TTY

Wellington Deaf Society
1989
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Deaf study tour hit by obstacle

Many obstacles, including their deafness, are getting in the way of a planned study to the United States and Britain for Angela and Shelia.
1998
video – Taonga source: Kevin and Lynette Pivac

NZ Deaf Rugby Team in Wales

See Hear reports on the New Zealand Deaf Rugby team’s tour of the UK in 1998.
Kevin and Lynette Pivac
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
2019
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate

New Year Honours: Whangārei’s Kim Robinson, MNZM, deaf community advocate

A trip to the United States in 1990 gave Whangārei man Kim Robinson extra motivation to seek better and equal access for the deaf community in New Zealand. Now, that commitment to ensuring deaf people are heard and their needs met has seen him made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to the deaf community in the New Year's Honours List.
The Northern Advocate
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1983
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie

Bruce McHattie encourages Deaf to donate at the Auckland Telethon

Bruce McHattie from Auckland Deaf Society participates in the 1983 Telethon in Auckland, aimed at fundraising for a specific cause. Deaf people could be involved too, and make donations by calling a specific number via their TTY and state their donation.
Dulcie McKie
1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Desperate need in N.Z. for interpreters

Qualified interpreters are desperately needed to cope with the needs of deaf people in New Zealand.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1994
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Deaf petition to Telecom

Poor access to emergency services for the deaf could result in a death unless some action is taken soon, say advocates for the deaf. A petition has just been launched to ask Telecom to provide a relay service for that deaf people can call for help.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
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.
2010
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

The Berry Family: Part 2

We take you into the home of the Berrys and look at the lives of deaf New Zealanders. Playing poker is one of this family’s favourite pastimes!
Attitude Pictures
NZSL Stories
  • Keethan Sundar
  • Tony Walton
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
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
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!
Hilda Tamepo
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Ultratec Superprint TTY

Wellington Deaf Society
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.
1993
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Advanced computer data base backs NZ’s first sign language dictionary

Managing editor Professor Graeme Kennedy said the project had developed the most advanced computer database in the world for analysing and recording sign language.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
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
article – Taonga source: City Voice

Deaf viewers ask for a hand

People who can hear as well as see 'Reasonable Doubts' (TV3, 9.50pm Saturdays) might be surprised to learn that Deaf New Zealanders can understand deaf lawyer Tessa Kaufman’s sign language little better than they can. ASL, used by Deaf actor Marlee Matlin, is a foreign language here. My Deaf friends give it the thumbs up. But the failure of television in New Zealand to provide anything in NZSL is described as “a running sore” by Hilary McCormack.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2017
article – Taonga source: The Northern Advocate

Flashing smoke alarm wakes deaf woman, saves life

Mihiarangi Marsters is living proof smoke alarms save lives. The 71-year-old great-great-grandmother escaped as flames engulfed the kitchen of her Tikipunga home. Deaf since the age of 7, it was the special flashing smoke alarm that woke her and allowed her to grab her 4-year-old great- granddaughter and flee before it was too late.
The Northern Advocate
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)

Uniphone [1150 TTY]

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
2009
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Young girl learns sign language

Twenty-year-old architectural technology student Amanda Cameron can’t help but smile since she’s learnt NZSL.
Attitude Pictures
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.
Television New Zealand Archive
1978
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Helping the deaf to communicate

Daniel Beech was in New Plymouth over the weekend to demonstrate a new machine which enables deaf people to use a telephone.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1969
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: October 1969 (Vol. 6, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt