
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


1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW INSTITUTION AT FEILDING OPENED AND BLESSED
Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A.A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic's School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon.


NZSL Stories


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


1957
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1957)
Annual Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance – dancing, tītītōrea (short stick games) with end-of-year prizes.












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.







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


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


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



NZSL Stories


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


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


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


1964
article – Taonga source: Colleen Norris
Deaf Couple Marry
The bride and groom and three other members of the wedding party were deaf and 30 of the guests had also attended the School for Deaf at Titirangi, where the bridge and groom met. Mr Moore says that although a wedding of a deaf couple was not unusual in Auckland, he thinks it is the first time such a ceremony has taken place in Northland.





NZSL Stories


1960
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Formal opening of Parau, a beach property with a large brick hostel
Parents of deaf children raised thousands of pounds to buy a beach property at Parau where a large brick hostel was built. Groups of children, teachers and parents spent many a happy weekend there.












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.







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


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


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.








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.


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


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Christmas parade at Titirangi School for the Deaf
The courtyard at Titirangi School for Deaf’s came in handy in events such as the Christmas parade with everyone in fancy dress!












NZSL Stories


2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon
Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon, recorded on 27 June 2000. They were both foundation members of Manawatu Deaf Society – founded on 7 July 1962. Keith was awarded life membership of Manawatu Deaf Society on 16 December 2000.




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


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


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


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


2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Ray and Polly Forman
Ray Forman and Polly Karaka both talk about bits and pieces of their life. Ray talks about being “kicked out” of Sumner as the New Zealand army occupied the school during the World War II.




NZSL Stories


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


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


1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Communicate: March 1992



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









