
2005
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
First deaf person to serve on jury
Sign language interpreters have made it possible for a deaf Victoria University lecturer to serve on a jury which is believed to be a first for New Zealand.

1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
New Zealanders compete in the cycling individual time trial event
New Zealanders, Hayden Costar and John Ooteman compete in the cycling individual time trial event. John won a gold medal in the 35km time trial with 51:10 minutes.

NZSL Stories


1978
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Shared Benefits at Sumner
Sumner School for Deaf Children has taken an adventurous step by beginning a trial integration of a class of 'hearing' children into the school.




1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Board of trustees accepts extra challenges at school for deaf
Board member Ava Buzzard, who has been deaf since birth, is excited by the chance to have a greater role in a school she has been involved with for many years.


1992
article – Taonga source: Western Leader
Curry case highlights Deaf plight
A television documentary on the plight of a deaf man has spurred the Glen Eden-based New Zealand Association of the Deaf into action. It wants to see the man, wrongly imprisoned for two years, receive compensation for his ordeal.
NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Deaf ‘denied basic rights’ in courts
A fight has begun against a justice system which some deaf people regard as denying them basic human rights.


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
And the gold goes to John Ooteman!
Dressed in jandals, John Ooteman takes to the podium for his gold medal in the 35 km time trial, supported by a crew of New Zealand supporters.













NZSL Stories


1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Ivan Curry case goes to police authority
The Police Minister expects the Police Complaints Authority to inquire into questions arising from the documentary 'The Remand of Ivan Curry'.


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





1985
article – Taonga source: The Marlborough Express
Future for deaf takes on rosy glow
Deaf job-seekers face seemingly unsurmountable obstacles and prejudice. But a new polytech course promoting positive action is smoothing the way.


1990
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Inquiry into Curry murder prosecution
The Police Complaints Authority started an inquiry into a murder charge made in 1988 against Ivan Curry, who is profoundly deaf. The weekend screening of a documentary on TVNZ Channel One's 'The Remand of Ivan Curry', had raised concerns about the way the police handled the case.


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



NZSL Stories


1987
article – Taonga source: The Press
All the world is a stage – for the deaf, too
“Speaking hands, hearing eyes” is the title of an Australian folk song about the deaf. It is also the dictum by which Anne Tweedie lives and why she has started a Theatre for the Deaf.


1991
article – Taonga source: The Chronicle
Coping with deafness in a hearing world
Cushla and Brian talk about their lives – being Deaf, their experiences at school, employment, and communication.


1980
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
Special help for deaf SC candidates
The special needs of deaf candidates sitting School Certificate will be recognised by the Education Department this year for the first time.


2006
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Sign of the times
Kirsten, John and Shannon are over the moon at the recognition of New Zealand Sign Language. "It was the best day for the deaf community; it felt awesome to be a part of the process and support it all the way."


1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
TVNZ coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf
Professional coverage of the first few days of sports at the 16th World Games for the Deaf held in Christchurch in January 1989. Events are covered in detail and presented by the News Review weekly round up.


NZSL Stories


1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
New Zealand Police Commissioner considers Deaf access to justice
Two weeks after 'The Remand of Ivan Curry' screens on TV1, Police Commissioner John Jamieson meets with Jennifer Brain to work out better procedures for dealing with Deaf people in custody.




Est. 1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Men’s Team Interclub Touch Rugby: New Zealand Games for the Deaf



NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: The Dominion
Deaf defendant no legal right to interpreter
The deaf defendant in the aborted Wanganui murder trial has no legal right to an interpreter, through the Justice Department says it is providing one.


1969
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Deaf Runner Hopes Panel Will Listen
The deaf Lynndale athlete is endeavouring to gain selection for the forth coming Deaf Olympics to be held in Yugoslavia in July.




1992
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
State needs to protect defendant’s right to a fair trial
Curry, who was deaf after suffering meningitis as an infant, spent two years in jail before being brought to trial on a murder charge a jury took just two hours to throw out.


1991
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Deaf find unfair hearings in court
Deaf people have had unfair trials through lack of interpreters telling them what is happening in courts.
NZSL Stories


1992
article – Taonga source: NZ Herald
Treatment of deaf man is modern horror story
The documentary 'The Remand of Ivan Curry (One, Sunday 9.35) was the story of how a man could spend two years in a New Zealand prison without trial. A deaf man arrested for a murder he did not commit who was kept in jail through lack of police investigation then turned back onto the streets with nothing, not even an apology.
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


1992
video – Taonga source: Sue Williams
The Remand of Ivan Curry
A documentary outlining the case of Ivan Curry who, in 1988, was arrested and tried for the murder of his baby nephew. The documentary explores the case and in particular the plight of Ivan Curry who was remanded without bail for 15 months awaiting trial, as well as the difficulty Deaf people face navigating the justice system.




1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
DEAF GAMES
New Zealand won its first gold medal at the World Games for the Deaf in California yesterday when cyclist John Ooteman (Fielding) won the 35km time trial in 51m 10s. Also includes results from the New Zealand team.
NZSL Stories


2020
video – Taonga source: Elizabeth Hines
Memories of triple World Deaf Games champion John Ooteman
New Zealand’s most acclaimed Deaf gold medallist, John Ooteman was a triple World Games for the Deaf champion (Koln 1981, Los Angeles 1985, Christchurch 1989). His story is told through the eyes of Elizabeth Hines, his Deaf sister.


NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
First gold at games for New Zealand
Ooteman, 28, showed his superb form to score his third successive World Games for the Deaf gold medal in the prestigious time trial event.
NZSL Stories


1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: September 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 5)
NZSL Stories












