Deaf Association opens its new Auckland office

1999 •

The Deaf Association of New Zealand opens its new offices on Great North Road, Avondale, Auckland in November 1999.

The Deaf Association of New Zealand opened its new offices on Great North Road, Avondale, Auckland in November 1999. Te Karere was there to capture this important occasion, with patron Judy Bailey cutting the ribbon with Tony Walton (President), after a powhiri lead by Deaf students from Kelston Deaf Education Centre. The Deaf community then were able to have a walk around the newly refurbished building. Patrick Thompson talks about the importance of Māori Deaf having access to tikanga Māori.

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NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Tony Walton on Building a More Accessible Deaf Aotearoa

Tony reflects on his involvement with the New Zealand Association of the Deaf (now Deaf Aotearoa). In 1989, during the World Deaf Games, New Zealand had only two or three qualified NZSL interpreters – a serious shortage. NZDSA was strongly sign-based, while the NZAD board leaned more oral. After the Games, Tony joined NZAD as a delegate to learn how it worked, eventually becoming President. His focus was on Deaf youth, leading to the creation of Friends of Young Deaf (FYD), better Māori engagement and involvement with more NZSL interpreters. One key goal was to have 13 interpreters nationwide, giving every major town and city access. Interpreter pay and access were limited back then – very different from today.

NZSL story – Taonga source: Tony Walton

From New Lynn to Avondale: A Necessary Move

Tony served as President of the New Zealand Association of the Deaf from 1999 to 2003. At the time, the focus was on supporting Deaf youth – not relocating. But when asbestos was discovered in the ceiling of the New Lynn building, with removal costs estimated at $600,000, a major decision had to be made. With support from a funder willing to underwrite the risk, the building was sold and a new location was secured. The Avondale office officially opened in November 1999.

Cheyanne Moko

Henry Clark

Hilary McCormack

Hilary McCormack

Jennifer Brain (Shearer)

Jennifer Brain (Shearer)

Judy Bailey

Kevin Stokes

Lynette Watson

Patrick Thompson

Patrick Thompson

Tony (Anthony) Walton

Tony (Anthony) Walton

Relevant Links

Deaf Aotearoa

Taonga source:

Rūaumoko Komiti

Produced by:

Māori Television

Original format:

VHS

Reference number:

SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, RUA16-01-MD99

Copyright status:

This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Note:

This item has been compressed and/or edited.

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