
1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf hosts its annual Christmas party
Deaf students dress up and parade around the back of Titirangi School for the Deaf at its annual Christmas party.

NZSL Stories


2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Patreena Bryan
Patreena Bryan (also known as Pat, with her sign name being TAP – a play on her name) is filmed at AUT talking to NZSL interpreting students. Married with two sons, Patreena talks about her schooling days at Titirangi and her involvement with the Deaf community.




NZSL Stories


1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf students picnic at Motuihe Island
Boarding students at Titirangi School for the Deaf are treated to a day out to Motihue Island (Te Motu-a-Ihenga) in the Hauraki Gulf, 17 kilometres from downtown Auckland.












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


1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Deaf Couple Married At Ruawai
Deaf Bridal Couple – Mr and Mrs N.G. Norris after their marriage in the Ruawai Methodist Church. Both are totally deaf.





NZSL Stories


2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
ADS Badminton Club celebrates its 40th birthday!
The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!



NZSL Stories


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
School for the Deaf pupils visit Auckland Zoo
Deaf pupils visit Auckland Zoo and enjoy group rides on an elephant at the zoo.












NZSL Stories


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.


2003
video – Taonga source: Barry Kinnaird
Memories of Barry Kinnaird
A Deaf bowling legend, Barry Kinnaird was well known for his indoor and outdoor bowling achievements, participating in many New Zealand opens, Deaf Conventions and international competitions.


NZSL Stories


1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Day trip to the Parnell Baths
Students at Titirangi School for the Deaf are treated to a day trip to the Parnell Baths.












NZSL Stories


1984
article – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
New Lynn Lions Club sponsor deaf youths on an exchange overseas
The New Lynn Lions Club has scored a first. The club is the first in the country to sponsor deaf youths on an exchange overseas. It is sending Sally Robertson (19) and Lyndon Malcolm (19), both of Titirangi, to Oregon for about eight weeks.




1992
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
A journey through the 50 years of Auckland Schools for the Deaf
A NZSL narrated video taking viewers through the history of Auckland Schools for the Deaf, from Newton East, Myers Park, Titirangi, Mt Wellington and finally, Kelston.



NZSL Stories


2000
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Ivan and Hilda Tamepo
In an open and touching interview, Ivan and Hilda tell their tales of growing up in New Zealand, and look back on photos from their deaf schooling years.




NZSL Stories


1995
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: February 1995


NZSL Stories


1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
10 Deaf Debutantes at a Ball
For the first time in the history of New Zealand, ten deaf debutantes were presented at a ball last night. The guests of honour were Mr D. Nathan, president of the Friends of the Deaf, Mr C. Allen, principal of the School for the Deaf at Titangi, and Mr W. Williams, president of the Auckland Adult Deaf Society.







1992
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington
Jubilee Ball: Celebrating 50 Years of Deaf Schools in Auckland
Nearly 500 alumni and members of the Deaf community, well presented with dinner suits, bow ties, evening gowns, hairdos and the works enjoy an evening at the Avondale Racecourse.



NZSL Stories






Est. 1880
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
van Asch Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; formerly Sumner School for the Deaf then van Asch School for the Deaf). The school has a long and illustrious history, with its services covering a huge geographical spread. Established in 1880, van Asch was the oldest special school establishment in New Zealand and also believed to be the oldest fully government funded residential school in the world. van Asch celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2005. It merged with Kelston Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.


1959
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Sports Day at Kelston School for the Deaf
The School for Deaf annual sports day is held at Kelston with athletics, long jumping, relay races and performances.












NZSL Stories


1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society
There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.







2002
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section
Memories of Ava Buzzard (2002)
Ava Buzzard talks about life growing up in Christchurch, her hobbies, moving to Auckland as well as her children and their educational upbringing.




NZSL Stories


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Annual Sports Day at Mt Wellington
Annual school sports day at the large grounds at Mt Wellington, with the school surrounded by farmland. The Titirangi children travelled to Mt Wellington by buses. Mt Wellington closed once the Kelston hostel block opened in 1960.












NZSL Stories


1984
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Auckland Schools for Deaf: 45th Reunion
Brief footage of the crowd at Kelston for its 45th reunion. The Auckland weather holds up for the outdoor festivities!












NZSL Stories


1961
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Kelston School for Deaf sends its netball and rugby teams to Russell
Kelston School for Deaf sends its netball and rugby teams to Russell.












NZSL Stories


1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Where are the deaf children?
This footage appears to be an early attempt in creating an educational filming activity for deaf children at Titirangi School for the Deaf.












NZSL Stories


1956
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Picnic by the Parau Camp House
Titirangi students and their families picnic at the Parau Camp House in West Auckland. The property was purchased in 1955 and groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend here.












NZSL Stories


2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Merv Forman and Nellie Benney
Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.



NZSL Stories






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.


1969
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Runs Hard At Drop Of Hanky
Noel Coventry is a 22-year-old deaf athlete and the sole New Zealand representative going to the Deaf Olympics in Yugoslavia. Club officials would drop a handkerchief for him to sight as a sign that the starting gun had been fired.





NZSL Stories


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1955)
Annual Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance – tumbling, boxing, puppetry, ball handing and ballet.












NZSL Stories


1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Special service as deaf marry
Two totally deaf people were married in the Ruawai Methodist Church on Saturday in a service specially modified for the deaf. Mr Moore had spent many hours modifying the service and consulting with the principal of the School for the Deaf, Dr D. Dale.





NZSL Stories










