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.

Can you help?

publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

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

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.

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Gold Pin: Kiwi

Margaret Coutts

article – Taonga source: The Press

Late basketball win

Ross Freemantle, of New Zealand, works his way into the Finnish goal area in a basketball match in the World Games for the Deaf at Cowles Stadium yesterday. The New Zealand team led until the last two seconds, but lost, 78-79.

Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Bronze Medallists from Auckland Deaf Society: New Zealand Deaf Women’s Basketball Team

Auckland Deaf Society

article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

NZ swimmer wins bronze

Swimmer Michael Lynch claimed New Zealand's second medla of the World Games for the Deaf when he took the bronze in the 100m butterfly.

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

Margaret Coutts

article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Penny…and her thoughts

Penny Went collected a silver medal at the last World Games for the Deaf – now she is home and aiming for gold.

article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Wellington fields 16 at deaf Games

Sixteen Wellingtonians are part of the 97 strong New Zealand team to compete in the 16th World Games for the Deaf in Christchurch. Local members of the team and the sport they are competing in are listed.

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.

Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Key Ring: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association

Manawatu Deaf Society

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: USA Deaf Olympics, Christchurch, New Zealand

Margaret Coutts

Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

CISS World Deaf Games Accreditation Card: Barbara Hazelwood, Team Manager, Basketball

Manawatu Deaf Society

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

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.

publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 2)

video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Black and White Fancy Dress Fundraiser for 1989 WGD Christchurch

The Black and White themed Fancy Dress party at Christchurch Deaf Society on 28th May 1988 was a fundraiser for the World Games for the Deaf. Creative members dressed-up as prisoners, punk rockers, Spanish costume dress with bolero, nuns, waitresses, and rugby league players!

Deaf Society of Canterbury

article – Taonga source: The Press

Drug-testing at Games

Athletes at the sixteenth World Deaf Games will be randomly tested for drug use. Athletes to be tested would be selected before events by the executive of the Committee of the International Silent Sports (CISS).

Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society

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

article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Silver to NZ runner in deaf marathon

New Zealand's Kevin Lawrence won silver in the World Games for the Deaf marathon yesterday, but had to survive a protest.

Pam Witko

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: New Zealand Flag

Margaret Coutts

article – Taonga source: The Press

World Games for the Deaf: Monday 16 January 1989

A full page update from The Press, on the results from the World Games for the Deaf - Monday 16 January. N.Z. takes silver in marathon; double points for Italians in cycling; Finland retains volleyball title; Japan dominates; German team has full financial support.

article – Taonga source: The Press

Clever new system for starting

The starting equipment to be used at the Queen Elizabeth II complex is far more sophisticated. It uses a traffic-light type devised by a Christchurch man, Mr Ted Gilliver.

publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Journal: September 1990 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

article – Taonga source: The Press

TVNZ attacked for Games ‘disservice’

Organisers of the Sixteenth World Games for the Deaf are disappointed with the lack of television coverage. The chairman of the organising committee has accused Television New Zealand of doing a "disservice" to the New Zealand public by not providing more coverage of events.

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.

Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society

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.