reset filter
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
  • Shona McGhie
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Joan Bailey films Deaf performing at the Palmerston North Telethon!

Local Manawatu Deaf people appear on Telethon to sign a song, after Joan Bailey films a range of Deaf people at their workplaces - a welder, spraypainter, seamstress, data entry clerk and joiner.
Manawatu Deaf Society
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
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: January 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • Janet Watt
  • John Hunt
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Krown Research Porta-Printer II, a portable TTY

Wellington Deaf Society
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.
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: June 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
  • Shona McGhie
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: October 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: December 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 6)

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

SSI-240 Teletypewriter (TTY)

Wellington Deaf Society
1987
article – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

Getting Message Over For The Deaf

Threading a needle needs a straight eye with a steady hand, which 15-year-old Susan Ovens illustrated through mime at the closing function of Deaf Awareness Week on Sunday. The Deaf Awareness Week function was held in the Downtown complex in Auckland. The Governor General's speech was translated into sign language by the president of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf, Mr B.McHattie. 
Mary Johnson
1981
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: International Year of Disabled Persons, Wellington Deaf Society, 1981

Wellington Deaf Society
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
1982
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Christmas 1982 (Vol. 5, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: September 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1985
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie

Telethon 1985

The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.
Dulcie McKie
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
biography
Profile

Noeline ‘Patty’ Still (MNZM)

Patty, born 1932, received the M.N.Z.M in 2003 for her involvement in many activities and initiatives within the Deaf community. Patty was recognised for her efforts in promoting NZSL through her teaching of NZSL, and her work raising public awareness via her performances with the Christchurch Silent Singers group.
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.
Dulcie McKie
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
  • Janet Watt
1981
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Able to talk

For the first time in their lives, Pam and Kay, who are profoundly deaf, can talk to each other by telephone. The Combined Societies for the Deaf is hoping to get telephone-type equipment in airports, police stations, taxi offices and emergency service switchboards.
Wellington Deaf Society
The Sign Singing Superstars
The Sign Singing Superstars
The Sign Singing Superstars
Est. 1980s
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

The Sign Singing Superstars

Throughout the early 1980s, the New Zealand Deaf community created two sign singing supergroups: The Sign Singers from Auckland, and The Silent Singers from Christchurch. These two groups pioneered Sign Singing as an art form and gained considerable public admiration for their efforts. Both groups made appearances on national Telethon events, and the Auckland group also were regulars on the Stars on Sunday programme, making more appearances than any other single group.
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: September 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

MCM DAVCO Teletypewriter (TTY)

Wellington Deaf Society
1990s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Ultratec Superprint TTY

Wellington Deaf Society
1983
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Telephones for the deaf

For the first time since they met, Pam and Kaz Witko can talk to each other on the telephone… well, it’s not really talking it’s more like writing letters, only a lot faster.
Telethons
Telethons
Telethons
1970s onwards
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

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.
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens