reset filter
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.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
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.
Wellington Deaf Society
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
  • Tony Walton
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. 
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
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

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
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.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Michael Lynch
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
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.
Television New Zealand Archive
Est. 1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Men’s Team Interclub Touch Rugby: New Zealand Games for the Deaf

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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.
Pam Witko
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
  • Tony Walton
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
  • Tony Walton
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.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
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.
Sue Williams
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
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
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.
Elizabeth Hines
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
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
  • Michael Lynch
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: September 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 5)

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Patreena Bryan
  • John Hunt