HomeCollectionChristchurch 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.

  • Deaf Sports
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1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Deaf athletes will be out to win medals

The vice-chairman of the organising committee, Mrs Margaret Coutts, said yesterday "for two weeks there will be more deaf people on the street than hearing people. My heart is filled with gold because of the very big turn out – there are more athletes here than at the previous World Games in America (in 1985)."
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
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

World Games for the Deaf: Thursday 5 January 1989

A full page update from Christchurch Star on the World Games for the Deaf - Thursday 5 January. Be quick for souvenirs...No need for a whistle or gun; Close watch for drugs.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Pocket Patch: New Zealand, 1989 XVI World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch

Margaret Coutts
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Plaque: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association: Susan Hanson, In Appreciation, 16th World Games for the Deaf

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Women’s Basketball Team, Bronze Medal Winners, 1989

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
video – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe

16th World Games for Deaf – News Review segment

News Review coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch 1989.
Kerry Titcombe
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Games ideal world

To most of the athletes attending the sixteenth World Games for the Deaf the social side of the event is as important as the competition. For the 10 days of the games the athletes and deaf officials are living in their ideal world – using their form of communication.
1989
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Second gold to U.S. cyclist

At the basketball, also at Cowles Stadium, the New Zealand women beat Australia, 91-65, to notch the host country's first win in the sport. New Zealand led 45-26 at half-time and is now in the running for the bronze medal.
Pam Witko
1989
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

Deafblind Wrestler competes at the 1989 World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch

Pier Morten, a Deafblind wrestler from Canada, participates in the 1989 World Games for the Deaf, in Christchurch.
Television New Zealand Archive
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
1989
article – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe

Soccer win to Australia

New Zealand showed how much it has improved in the soccer tournament at the World Games for the Deaf when it took two goals in the last 5 min by Australia to beat it in the play-off for ninth place at English Park today.
Kerry Titcombe
1989
article – Taonga source: NZPA

Games Open In Bright Display

A crowd of 4000 cheered and waved as about 1400 athletes and officials resplendent in national colours marched into the stadium as a reminder that the first World Games for the Deaf were held in Paris in 1924.
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
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

First gold at games for New Zealand

Ooteman, 28, showed his superb form to score his third successive World Games for the Deaf gold medal in the prestigious time trial event.
1988
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times

Cancer forces athlete to pull out of Games

Olympic wrestling nominee Robert Algie is battling cancer in Palmerston North Hospital.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

TVNZ taken to task

The chairman of the Hillary Commission, Sir Ronald Scott, has joined in the chorus of criticism over television coverage of the World Games for the Deaf. He said Television New Zealand was insensitive to the needs of the deaf when covering the Games.
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.
Rodney Roberts
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Barbara Hazelwood, Team Manageress, NZ Deaf Women’s Basketball, Bronze Winner

Manawatu Deaf Society
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: January 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 1)

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.
Rodney Roberts
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
publication – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

VXIth World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch: 7-17 January 1989

Shona McGhie
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: INTERPRETER, XI World Games for the Deaf

Manawatu Deaf Society
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Nice touch to start of Deaf Games

A touching moment at the opening of the World Games for the Deaf appeared to set the tone for the competition. The entire United States team lined up to touch hands with the Russian athletes as the Soviet team marched into place.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

Margaret Coutts
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

World Games for the Deaf: Tuesday 10 January 1989

A full page update from The Press, on the results from the World Games for the Deaf - Tuesday 10 January. Wrestlers impress; Soviets scoop six gold medals; Finalnd polished volleyball team; Americans upset; Japan succeeds in table tennis; Britain's Lee steals swimming limelight; Americans upset.
1989
Object – Taonga source: Lorraine Butler

Bronze Medal: Women’s Basketball, 16th World Deaf Games, Christchurch

Lorraine Butler
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

New Zealand Deaf News: Winter 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 2)

1989
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

N.Z. Badminton Ladies Doubles Medallists: XVI World Games for the Deaf

Auckland Deaf Society