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1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Uniform Pocket Patch: New Zealand Deaf Sport Team, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Opening ceremony of the VX World Games for the Deaf

New Zealand sends 30 athletes to the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, with footage of the opening ceremony. The flagbearer for New Zealand was John Ooteman, with Susie Ovens carrying the kiwi mascot. The Gallaudet Dance Company also put on a performance. Footage shows a fly by with a sign saying ‘WELCOME WORLD GAMES FOR THE DEAF’.
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

And the gold goes to John Ooteman!

Dressed in jandals, John Ooteman takes to the podium for his gold medal in the 35 km time trial, supported by a crew of New Zealand supporters. 
Tony Walton
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
2000
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

Memories of Merv Forman and Nellie Benney

Merv and Nellie Forman are both interviewed by Dorothy Jones on their lives and their involvement with the Deaf community at their home in Hawkes Bay.
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Patreena Bryan
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: INTERPRETER, XI World Games for the Deaf

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
1988
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

‘Review’ team getting ready to report

When the 1400 competitors and officials arrive in Christchurch to take part in the World Games for the Deaf, TVNZ's news programme for the deaf will be ready and waiting. The small staff of the weekly programme "News Review" is being boosted by four journalists to cover the events of the three-week games in January.
Pam Witko
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
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
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

History through Young Eyes: Interview with Jeff Went

Jeff Went talks about his involvement with Deaf sports and the 1989 World Deaf Games in Christchurch where he volunteered as an ‘international interpreter’ doing 12 hour days over 12 days!
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

First record falls in swimming

New Zealand swimmers Kathryn Olsson and Anva Cosgrove made their first appearance in the pool in the 100m freestyle. They finished fifth in their respective heats and failed to make the finals.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Michael Lynch
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

DEAF GAMES

An update from the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles, where Carolyn Hamlin and Janet Watt (New Zealand) beat Pam Croskery and Penelope Went (New Zealand) in badminton doubles.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
  • Janet Watt
1989
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Going for gold

New Zealand's Michael Lynch is on target for a gold medal in the 200m butterfly event at the World Games for the Deaf.
Pam Witko
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Michael Lynch
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

News Review: Ready, Set, Go!

Susan Thomas takes the reins at the studio this week on ‘News Review’. The team recaps footage from the World Games of the Deaf which wrapped up on the Tuesday before. Watch records being broken, and some footage of our Kiwi athletes in action!
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • Michael Lynch
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
1988
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Easter 1988 (Vol. 10, No. 4)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Goodbye Christchurch, Hello Sofia

The sixteenth World Games for the Deaf wraps up on 18 January 1989, with the next hosts being Sofia, Bulgaria. Members of the New Zealand team perform a farewell haka for their overseas visitors.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1961
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team for deaf games backed

The Auckland Deaf Society has reversed a previous decision and decided to support the team being sent to the Olympic Games for deaf people in Helsinki in August by the Wellington Deaf Sports Club.
Auckland Deaf Society
1989
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Interview with I. King Jordan about Deaf education

The first Deaf president of Gallaudet University, I. King Jordan, is visiting Christchurch, New Zealand for the World Games of the Deaf in January 1989. Dr King Jordan is interviewed about the changes he has implemented at Gallaudet University, and Deaf education in NZ.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Deaf athletes see red

A Christchurch man has designed an international first for the World Games for the Deaf, designing a visual starter for athletic and swimming events.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
  • Jeff Went
biography
Profile

Anthony ‘Tony’ Walton (CNZM)

Tony received the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to the Deaf community. Tony has had a broad involvement in many areas of the Deaf community, having been President of the NZ Deaf Sports Association and successfully hosting the World Deaf Games in 1989.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Fielding cyclist wins gold for N.Z.

New Zealand's first gold medal was won yesterday by a Fielding cyclist, John Ooteman. Aged 28, Ooteman won the 35km time trial event on the Old West Coast Road ahead of 23 other competitors with a time of 51 min 12.13s.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of John McRae

John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
Hilda Tamepo
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Patreena Bryan
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 2)

1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

‘Spot On’ visits a Deaf basketball training session

The educational TV series ‘Spot On’, visits a Deaf basketball training session to catch up with Royce Flynn and Megan Mansfield, and understand how the sport is played by Deaf athletes, and controlled by a Deaf referee.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Mansell
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

World Games for the Deaf: Saturday 14 January 1989

A full page update from The Press, on the results from the World Games for the Deaf - Saturday 14 January. Smith smashes record; Medal prospects; Basketball chance; Fast Swimming; Close tennis final.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
1989
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team: XVI World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Michael Lynch
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
1965
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Uniforms for N.Z. women in Deaf Olympics

Kath Smith, selected as chaperon for the first official team to represent New Zealand at the International Games for the Deaf, is being fitted with the ceremonial team outfit.
Pam Witko
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

History through Young Eyes: Interview with Ngaire Doherty

Saynab Muse, a Tu Kokiri student interviews Ngaire Doherty, ex-President of Auckland Deaf Society at the Balmoral clubroom.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Richard Hay
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Medals eyed in 3 events

Four New Zealand deaf athletes are favoured to win medals in swimming, cycling, and badminton. The 112-strong New Zealand team will compete in 11 of the 12 sports.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Michael Lynch
  • Janet Watt