Our history
Ko tō mātou kōrero o mua
Our history
New Zealand has seen enormous changes in Deaf Education since its inception in 1880 with the Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch (later named van Asch College then Van Asch Deaf Education Centre); from a strictly oral approach that endured for almost a century, to now, when programmes and services are provided in a wide range of ways and all languages are viable (English, NZSL and Te Reo).
In 2019 we merged the Kelston Deaf Education Centre in Auckland and the Van Asch Deaf Education Centre in Christchurch to become one national organisation.
Find out more about Ko Taku Reo's name and its meaning.