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2003
article – Taonga source: Bay Harbour News

Patty Still – active role model for deaf community

In late July, Woolston grandmother Noeline 'Patty' Still joined a special group of New Zealanders in Wellington for the official presentation of the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours medals. Patty was there to receive her MNZM for her services to the deaf community.
1995
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Howell (Forman)

Memories of Doreen Howell, a life member of Wellington Deaf Society, was recorded on 9 July 1995 at Pam and Kaz Witko's place.
Pam Witko
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Winter 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

An ear for the deaf

The 600 people in Wellington at last have their own sign interpreter. Rachel Locker was appointed as sign language interpreter for the deaf on Monday.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1985
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Ready to lend helping hands to deaf

The class of eight graduates tonight after four months' study learning the variety of sign language used by New Zealand deaf people.
1973
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Married recently: Kaz and Pam Witko

Married recently at St Patrick’s Church, Paraparaumu were Kaz and Pam Witko, the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Howell. The couple will live in Perth.
Pam Witko
1975
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1975

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Canterbury beats Wellington in a game of rugby league

A game of rugby league between the Canterbury and Wellington boys in 1991. The game was played at Hampshire Park, Christchurch on 11 May 1991. Canterbury beat Central, 42-26, followed by a post-match social and further celebrations at Christchurch Deaf Society.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1990
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Kiwis vs Roos: Deaf Rugby League

Footage of rugby league training, haka practice, game planning, changing room preparations, and actual game footage of all three matches between the Deaf Kiwis and Australian teams, and even a visit to the hospital for an injured Kiwi player!
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Men Basketball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1980
article – Taonga source: Zealandia

Deaf sponsor nun on trip of faith

The Wellington Catholic Deaf Association is sending a Dominican nun to conferences in Hamburg and Manchester.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: October 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Terry Kane
  • John Hunt
1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representative Team, 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union: Player of the Year

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2000
video – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Memories of Doreen Forman

Memories of Doreen Forman, a Wellington Deaf Society life member, was recorded on 10th December 2000 – covering some events and recollections from Doreen’s life including the 1931 Napier earthquake.
Pam Witko
1981
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: September 1981 (Vol. 18, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
Telethons
Telethons
Telethons
1970s onwards
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE

Telethons

Telethons were run nationwide in New Zealand in 1975-79, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990-91, 1993 and 2009. The 24-hour fundraiser would take place in regions around New Zealand and was broadcast on TV. Viewers would be shown coverage of the telethon nearest to their location. Smaller regions would typically see coverage of the telethon in one of the main centres (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin), and it was in those areas where Deaf people were invited to participate.
2007
article – Taonga source: Unknown

Deaf people being left on the outer

A shortage of sign language interpreters means as many as 7700 deaf people are struggling to access services in their communities.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
1980
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: March 1980 (Vol. 3, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Lawn Bowls, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Patreena Bryan
Early 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Society Clubroom Mural: Painted by Shaun Fahey

Wellington Deaf Society
2014
article – Taonga source: The Wellingtonian

A modern tale of two deaf children

Deaf pupil Rahui Lee, 11, leads the year 7 and 8 class in a sign language game of mastermind, in which pupils have to guess a mystery four-digit number by signing.
1987
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

A silence full of sounds

Wellington actor Miranda Harcourt who plays Sarah in Children of a Lesser God, understands her character's sentiments. She spent eight months learning sign language before the play opened at Dunedin's Fourtune Theatre in October.
Wellington Deaf Society
1950
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Dominic’s School Impresses Experts On Training Of Deaf

"This is the first time we have ever seen deaf children dance to a gramophone" said Dr. Irene Ewing delightedly when with her husband, Dr. A.Ewing, she visited St Dominic's School for the Deaf at Island Bay, Wellington.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
2002
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Marlene Rush

Marlene Rush was the 20th Deaf student to enrol at St Dominics School for the Deaf in 1946. Marlene looks back on her life and involvement with the Deaf community.
Dorothy Jones
1990
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn/Winter 1990 (Vol. 24, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
2004
video – Taonga source: Rūaumoko Komiti

The experiences of Māori Deaf

This segment from Māori TV’s Te Hēteri focuses on the experiences of Māori Deaf, catching up with Patrick Thompson, Whiti Ronaki, and Hemi Hema.
Rūaumoko Komiti