Featured Story
Community Life and Places
Telethons
Telethons were run nationwide in New Zealand in 1975-79, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-91, 1993 and 2009. The 24-hour fundraiser would take place in regions around New Zealand and was broadcast on TV. Viewers would be shown coverage of the telethon nearest to their location. Smaller regions would typically see coverage of the telethon in one of the main centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin), and it was in those areas where Deaf people were invited to participate.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 3)
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1991
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Winter 1999
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.
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!
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.
1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: March 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 1)
1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1995
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1989 (Vol. 23, No. 3)
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: September 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 3)
1991
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Deaf viewers of TVNZ will have news subtitles
Some Television New Zealand news bulletins are to be subtitled for hard-of-hearing viewers, but no titles are planned for TV3 news.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1993
1982
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
TVNZ plan deaf service
TVNZ says that several hundred pages of detailed information can be made available and rapidly selected by the viewer. The information ranges from frequently updated news and weather, both national and regional, to travel and consumer and social services media.
1983
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
News Review – Deaf Student on Holiday
News Review features Stephen Leach, an Auckland Deaf student studying at Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University).
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.
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: September 1992
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1989
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)
1982
article – Taonga source: Unknown
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.
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.
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1989
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 3)
1983
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Ephpheta: June 1983 (Vol. 6, No. 2)
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1991 (Vol. 5, No. 2)
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: July 1983
1995
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
A behind-the-scenes look at the Teletext system
During 'Deafness Awareness Week' in 1995, One Network News runs a news clip that highlights why Teletext is invaluable to the Deaf community. Patreena Bryan shares with us how captions give Deaf people equality.
1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1991
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)
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.
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: December 1993
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 1)
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
New Zealand Deaf News: Winter 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 2)
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1989
1998
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: Autumn 1998
1981
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie
Sign Singers at Telethon 1981
The popular Sign Singers are the first act to perform at the 1981 Telethon Live at the Auckland Town Hall.
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: February 1984
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: June 1992
Featured Story
Community Life and Places
News Review
In 1981, TVNZ launched News Review – a 15 minute programme (later extended to half-an-hour). News Review was a summary of major national and international news of the week for all New Zealanders. This programme was produced in Christchurch, and was captioned.