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
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Michael Lynch
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Jeff Went
  • Milton Reedy
  • Janet Watt
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
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • John Hunt
  • Janet Watt
  • Jonathan Anton
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Plaque: 16th World Games for the Deaf, 7-17 January, 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Strong medical presence

The 1400 officials and competitors at the World Deaf Games will be well attended by a large group of medical doctors, St John Ambulance officers, physiotherapists, podiatrists and masseurs. Drug and gender tests will also be a part of the workload.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1989
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: USA Deaf Olympics, Christchurch, New Zealand

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

NZ ‘must build’ on success of World Deaf Games

New Zealand deaf sports competitors and officials must build on the successes and achievements of the 16th World Games for the Deaf which ended in Christchurch on Monday, the games committee chairman, John Macdonald, said today.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
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
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1986
video – Taonga source: Ngaire Doherty

A ‘Mime and Masks’ show by Deaf Drama Group: A Visit to Kiwiland

A Deaf Drama group perfoms 'A Visit to Kiwiland' at Kelston with supporting acts by the Sign Singers. The evening fundraised $766.00 towards the purchase of a TTY and to sponsor two pupils from Kelston to attend the World Deaf Games in Christchurch 1989.
Ngaire Doherty
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • John Hunt
  • Pam Croskery
  • Janet Watt
  • Terry Kane
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

TVNZ coverage of the 16th World Games for the Deaf

Professional coverage of the first few days of sports at the 16th World Games for the Deaf held in Christchurch in January 1989. Events are covered in detail and presented by the News Review weekly round up.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
  • Terry Kane
1989
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
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
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Spoon: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Milton Reedy
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
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
  • Janet Watt
1989
publication – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

New Zealand Deaf Sports Team: XVIth World Games for the Deaf

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Susie Ovens
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1989
article – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe

Kiwis praised for friendliness

Kiwis were the friendliest people on Earth, the president of the International Silent Sport, Mr Jerald Jordan, told the opening of the sixteenth World Games for the Deaf on Saturday.
Kerry Titcombe
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1989
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Executive Council Members, 1987-1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: New Zealand Flag

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Ingenuity puts them in the picture

Problems for photographers come in many forms. A prize-winning Christchurch photographer, Dick Poole, had his special worries at the World Games for the Deaf on Saturday. He used several methods to get the look he wanted – a little help from an interpreter, a little push and pull and a few signs.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Key Ring: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1989
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
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
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Advertisement: Calling all Kiwis…

Calling all Kiwis...Join in the fun at the XVI World Games for the Deaf. Telecom is proud to have sponsored the Telecommunication facilities at each sporting venue.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery