I'm interested in...
reset filter
2009
video – Taonga source: Asia Downunder

Sign of the times

We meet Kaori Kobayashi, the first Asian Deaf Teacher in New Zealand.
Asia Downunder
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon

Memories of Keith and Irene Gordon, recorded on 27 June 2000. They were both foundation members of Manawatu Deaf Society – founded on 7 July 1962. Keith was awarded life membership of Manawatu Deaf Society on 16 December 2000.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
2019
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Using sign language as a family

The Fergusons are an average family of five who have fun, sometimes fight but mostly get along. The main difference is that three of them are deaf, and NZSL is the first language for the whole family. How does this work in a busy household with two teens and a toddler? We spend a few days with the Fergusons and discover it works remarkably well. Especially for the eldest Zoe who is exploring advocating for New Zealand deaf youth.
Attitude Pictures
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1956
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Auckland Carnival 1956

Friends of the Deaf prepare a float for the Auckland Carnival, 1956, along with some footage of the float parade.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
1991
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Northern Deaf XV vs Southern Deaf XV

Northern Deaf XV vs Southern Deaf XV held at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North on 31 March 1991.
Rodney Roberts

Help us name people in videos!

Yep, I’m keen! 

1958
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Rugby Union: Kelston vs St Kentigern College

Kelston School for the Deaf had a rugby team that played in the secondary school Grade 2C division, coming third in the 1958 season. Kelston beat St Kentigern 16 to 0.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1998
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

First Deaf graduate of Master in Business Administration

Angela Sew Hoy shares her experiences of being the first Deaf graduate of a Master of Business Administration.
Television New Zealand Archive
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
1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

News Review now includes ‘hand sign language’

In 1987, News Review became the first New Zealand programme to incorporate NZSL in its production. The show ceased in 1991 and to date, there has not been a similar programme using Deaf presenters or NZSL in full.
Television New Zealand Archive
2002
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Auckland Schools for Deaf: 60th Reunion

Weekend celebrations are kickstarted with a Māori Deaf kapa haka group to perform a haka powhiri. Vintage teachers such as Les Bury briefly summarise their experiences of working in Deaf education over the years.
Dorothy Jones

Do you know any online videos that SignDNA should link to?

Let us know! 

1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Christchurch 1979 – Netball

Coverage of the Netball tournament at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Christchurch 1979.
Dennis Tod
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Christchurch WGD Men’s Basketball Final

Crowd based footage of the Men’s Basketball final at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch, which USA won 127-56. This footage includes the warm up, edited highlights of the match, medal ceremony, team photos, and post-match socialising.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
1965
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

St Dominic’s gives a Catholic education to Deaf boys and girls

Several clips of teaching and classroom scenes at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with one-on-one speech therapy, oral communication methods, a physical education class, the Rotarians Picnic Drive, playing with jet aeroplanes, folk dancing and their annual Christmas party.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1999
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Rodney’s Deaf Saturday

Rodney Roberts takes us through the typical Saturday of a Deaf Wellingtonian, with the Manawatu Deaf boys playing a game of rugby (and being well beaten 47 to 7), before taking us on a tour through a Wellington Deaf Society event to farewell an international interpreter.
Rodney Roberts
1998
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of Dennis Robinson

Dennis talks about his past struggles and joys in life, his love of ten pin bowling and travel, punctuated with jokes and stories.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton

Everyone has a story to tell.

Share yours! 

1992
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Latvian Love

Kiwi Shaun Ruffell and Latvian Indrai Ozolinai, both Deaf, meet again three years after meeting at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf (in Christchurch), during which time they have kept in touch through letters.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton

Annual Sports Day at Mt Wellington

Annual school sports day at the large grounds at Mt Wellington, with the school surrounded by farmland. The Titirangi children travelled to Mt Wellington by buses. Mt Wellington closed once the Kelston hostel block opened in 1960.
Susan Hamilton
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1955
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sports Convention picnic at Motukarara, 1955

During the 1955 Sports Convention hosted in Christchurch, a picnic is held at Motukarara, by Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
2018
video – Taonga source: Deaf Children New Zealand

NZSL and Us: Diamond Johnson, Hamilton

Diamond is a bubbly and active little girl who loves a challenge. Her whānau embraces all three of New Zealand’s languages: English, Te Reo Māori and NZSL. Her mother is determined to improve her NZSL by attending sign language classes so she that she will be able to communicate with Diamond fully as she grows up. Her whānau has a strong commitment to ensure Diamond is exposed to as much NZSL as possible including access to Deaf role models.
Deaf Children New Zealand
2006
video – Taonga source: DEAFinitely Youth Group

2nd National Deaf Youth Camp, 2006

Footage of the 2nd National Deaf Youth Camp was during 25 September to 30 September 2006, with 50 participants. The event was organised by Christchurch Deaf Youth Club which was set up after the 1st National Deaf Youth Camp.
DEAFinitely Youth Group
NZSL Stories
  • Keethan Sundar

Do you have old videos at home about the Deaf World?

Donate videos!  

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.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1985
video – Taonga source: Dulcie McKie

Telethon 1985

The Sign Singers perform ‘You’re My Sunshine’ at the 1985 Telethon.
Dulcie McKie
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1993
video – Taonga source: Deaf Aotearoa

NZAD Newsletter, March 1993

Signed version of the NZAD newsletter in March 1993.
Deaf Aotearoa
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1978
video – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

23rd Deaf Sports Convention: Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball

A packed YMCA hall with supporters watching the Auckland vs Christchurch men’s basketball game.
Pam Croskery
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ celebrates her 90th at ADS!

Kathleen French, Auckland’s ‘Deaf Grandmother’ and a life member of Auckland Deaf Society celebrates her 90th birthday party at the Balmoral clubroom on 24 May 2003 with approximately 140 people attending.
Dorothy Jones

We welcome your ideas about improving SignDNA!

Tell us your ideas!

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!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
1960s
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

St Dominics Gala

St Dominics School for the Deaf hold their annual Gala Day – year unknown.
Manawatu Deaf Society
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

New Zealand delegates attend CISS meeting

The two New Zealand delegates, John McRae and Margaret Coutts, attend the CISS (Comité International des Sports des Sourds) meeting whilst at the Los Angeles World Games of the Deaf.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
2002
video – Taonga source: Sara Pivac Alexander

Asia-Pacific Deaf Youth Camp, 2002

The 2nd Asia Pacific Deaf Youth camp (APDYC) held at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Turangi is featured on ‘Inside Out’. Altogether, there were 43 Deaf youths from 12 countries, 15 youth leaders, 10 interpreters and a couple of guest speakers.
Sara Pivac Alexander
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

WDG Köln 1981 team returns home

The NZ team returns from the XIV World Games for the Deaf, Köln, Germany 1981.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie

Help us with transcription and translation on the SignDNA archive!

Ooh yea, I’m in!