The ‘silent’ games, a resounding success
A magnificent success is how organisers described the World Deaf Games in Christchurch. The 112-member New Zealand team – the biggest yet – won seven medals.
- Deaf Sports
- TV/Media
Taonga source:
NZ Woman’s Weekly
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, A1989-071
Bibliographic source:
NZ Women's Weekly, p.2-3
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Note:
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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.
1989
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team: XVI World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989
1989
publication – Taonga source: Shona McGhie
VXIth World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch: 7-17 January 1989
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
NZ vs Sweden Men’s Basketball at WGD in Christchurch
Edited crowd-shot footage of the men’s basketball heat at the World Games for the Deaf 1989, between New Zealand and Sweden. Sweden won the match 126-61.
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
The finished result
The result of Dick Poole's efforts was the official team photograph of the New Zealand team. The team mascot is in the centre of the front row alongside the coaches and team officials.
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.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: December 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 4)
2022
NZSL story – Taonga source: Janet Watt
What it was like being the team manager for the New Zealand badminton team
Janet Watt was the team manager for the New Zealand badminton team at the Christchurch World Deaf Games. She recalls being worried that each player had their own room at the university accommodation; how that would lead to more work for her (and eventually, silver and bronze for the team's players!).
1989
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Women’s Basketball Team, Bronze Medal Winners, 1989
2022
NZSL story – Taonga source: Janet Watt
Teaching sign language in preparation for the Christchurch 1989 World Deaf Games
Once New Zealand was awarded the host of the XVIth World Deaf Games at Los Angeles 1985, there was a realisation that sign language classes needed to commence in preparation for Christchurch 1989.
1989
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Executive Council Members, 1987-1989
2020
video – Taonga source: Elizabeth Hines
Memories of triple World Deaf Games champion John Ooteman
New Zealand’s most acclaimed Deaf gold medallist, John Ooteman was a triple World Games for the Deaf champion (Koln 1981, Los Angeles 1985, Christchurch 1989). His story is told through the eyes of Elizabeth Hines, his Deaf sister.
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
News Review update on finals at 1989 World Games for the Deaf
News Review presents a round-up of coverage of the 1989 World Games for the Deaf including a feature on a Deaf-blind wrestler, as well as the closing stages of games in the men’s football, volleyball and basketball.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Advertisement: 120,000 cheers
National Provident is proud to be the sole sponsor of the New Zealand team contesting the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch.
1989
article – Taonga source: Unknown
Games’ wave of friendship
The 1989 "friendly games" are underway. That is the unoffical title given to the Games for the Deaf which the Minister of Health, Mr Caygill, officially opened on Saturday.
1988
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NFD Journal: July 1988 (Vol. 2, No. 2)
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)
1989
Collection
Christchurch 1989: World Deaf Games
After an unsuccessful bid to host the 1985 World Deaf Games, the New Zealanders weren't deterred! In 1983, Christchurch won by a landslide in their second bid. With 30 nations attending, 955 athletes and a 112-member New Zealand team with 61 athletes, it was not only New Zealand's biggest team but also, this was the first time the World Deaf Games was held in the Southern Hemisphere. The 16th World Games for the Deaf was hosted 7-17 January 1989.