
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Let the battle begin! Wellington vs Auckland Deaf rugby league at Lower Hutt
The Wellington Deaf rugby league team host their Auckland rivals in Lower Hutt. The match was closely fought!

NZSL Stories


Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowls: Champ Triples








NZSL Stories


1954
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Socialising at Labour Weekend Wellington 1954
Athletes and spectators take a day out from the sporting competition to have fun in Wellington, 1954.


NZSL Stories


1991
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Jersey: Wellington Deaf Rugby League


NZSL Stories


1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Deaf athletes visit Disneyland en route to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln!
New Zealand athletes stopover at Los Angeles on the way to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln, and make the most of the trip with a visit to Disneyland!




NZSL Stories


1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain
During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.








NZSL Stories


1951
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Travelling to Wellington for NZ Deaf Sports Convention, 1951
A group of Auckland Deaf travel to and from Wellington for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention during Labour Weekend, 1951.








NZSL Stories






Est. 1922
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Deaf Society of Canterbury
The Deaf Society of Canterbury is New Zealand’s oldest Deaf Club, established in the mid 1920s. It has provided the inspiration for the development of other clubs around the country, including Auckland. Dennis Tod and Sue Penman have done a great job of rounding up some of the films from the Canterbury Deaf community.


1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Day Trip to Orewa!
During one of the first New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, a group of Deaf take a day trip to Orewa.








NZSL Stories


1972
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Open Indoor Bowls Championship for the Deaf, Hamilton 1972
A trip to Hamilton for the 1972 Open Indoor Bowls Championship for the Deaf provides a snapshot of NZ at the time. A road trip, sporting events, and a day out relaxing at various attractions presents what seems to be a fun weekend.






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


1990
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: June 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 2)



NZSL Stories


2011
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Deaf Southern Star: 2011 (Vol. 33, No. 4)




1989-90
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Summer 1989/90 (Vol. 23, No. 4)
NZSL Stories


1965
article – Taonga source: Mexico City Times
Participants In Olympics For Deaf Visit Mexico City
Seventeen New Zealanders, en route to the tenth annual International Games for the Deaf in Washington D.C., have been squeezing some Mexico City sightseeing into a brief lay-over during their trip. New Zealand's contingent, headed by Stewart Smith, includes a basketball team, wrestler, trackmen, table tennis players and a swimmer.


1988
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby League Football Club, Historic Game 1988 between New Zealand and Australia








NZSL Stories


1975
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury
Christchurch Deaf Basketball: A trip to Westport
The Christchurch Deaf Club basketball team travels to Westport during Queen’s Birthday weekend 1975 to participate in the Matai Invitation Tournament. Games are played at the Westport Community Hall. Footage covers players travelling to the West Coast via cars, with a few stops on the way, and a compulsory stop at the pub!




1998
video – Taonga source: Rae McKie
School for the Deaf Marching Girls reunited 45 years later!
The infamous Deaf Marching Girls reunite 45 years later, with a Friday spent practicing before showing their routine to supporters at van Asch on the Sunday.




1987
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1987 (Vol. 1 No. 4)





Est. 2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Wallace Williams Memorial Trophy – Comedy








NZSL Stories


2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures
Travelling with sign language
Last week we met the Fergusons, a family of five who communicate using NZSL. Here, we join the Fergusons on their trip of a lifetime attending the World Federation of the Deaf Congress — in Paris.




1965
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star
Deaf team to compete in America
Members of the New Zealand basketball team practise at the YMCA for their upcoming trip next month to the International Games for the Deaf.


1990
video – Taonga source: Tony Clews
Australian Deaf Rugby League Team: New Zealand Tour
A homemade Sydney documentary on the Australian Deaf Rugby league team’s tour of New Zealand in 1990 from preparation, the tour, the tests, and triumphant return home.


NZSL Stories


1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
More than 1300 involved
About 100 interpreters have been trained in Christchurch over the last year. The classes were organised by the hearing people but the deaf were the teachers. It is only the second time that New Zealand sign language has been taught in this country.
NZSL Stories


1998
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Happy Halloween: Manawatu Deaf Society
With 31st October falling on a Saturday in 1998, Manawatu Deaf Society takes the opportunity to host a Halloween party! The kids in particular look genuinely terrifying, with prizes for the best dressed child and adult!




1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Arriving for the Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952
Members of the Auckland Deaf community welcome friends and competitors from nationwide for the annual Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, and take a trip into Auckland City.








NZSL Stories


1978
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod
Christchurch Basketball and Netball teams leave for Greymouth
The Christchurch Deaf Mens Basketball team travel to Greymouth, accompanied by the Deaf netball team.




1992
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
Manawatu Deaf Society celebrates its 30th anniversary!
The Manawatu Deaf Society clubroom at Totara Road is jam-packed as the club celebrates its 30th anniversary!





1965
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
Framed Suit: International Deaf Games, Washington 1965


NZSL Stories


1970-90s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Wool V Neck Jersey: Manawatu Deaf Society


















