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.

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1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

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

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

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

More than 1300 involved

About 100 interpreters have been trained in Christchurch over the last year. The classes were organised by the hearing people but the deaf were the teachers. It is only the second time that New Zealand sign language has been taught in this country.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Pam Croskery
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: New Zealand Flag

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

Souvenir Badge: USA Deaf Olympics, Christchurch, New Zealand

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

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

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

Advertisement: 16th World Games for the Deaf

Tickets for the opening ceremony are at $8.00 while the closing ceremony is at $5.00. All other tickets prices are listed: $3.00 per ticket for 1 venue entry. $6.00 per ticket entry to all venues on 1 day. $40 ten venues entry on any day.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
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
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
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
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Pennant: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, January 1989

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

World Games for the Deaf: Wednesday 11 January 1989

A full page update from The Press, on the results from the World Games for the Deaf - Wednesday 11 January. Jumper lands in record books; Tennis moves back outdoors; Handball draws good crowds, U.S. below par in women's basketball, Miller bags two more; Today's programme and Results.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Deaf All Whites crushed 18-0

The New Zealand team found itself out of its depth in the World Deaf Games soccer tournament, being crushed 18-0 by Netherlands in its opening match on Saturday night at Queen Elizabeth II Park.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Games cost drain funds

New Zealand will have to struggle to send a team to the next World Games for the Deaf because of the huge cost of staging the 1989 event which ended at Queen Elizabeth II Park yesterday.
NZSL Stories
  • Michael Lynch
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Key Ring: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

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

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

Bid took 12 years

Although many people will not have heard of the World Games for the Deaf, New Zealand's involvement with them spans 40 years. The first information about the games reached New Zealand in 1949 and the New Zealand Amateur Sports Association was formed.
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Michael Lynch
1988
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Michael Lynch
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

ADS Badminton Club celebrates its 40th birthday!

The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Janet Watt
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
1989
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.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
1989
article – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe

Deaf easily skirt language hurdle

Deaf people can communicate country to country with more ease than those who can speak. It is not because they have an international sign language – each country has its own – but because it is a visual language.
Kerry Titcombe
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • John Hunt
1988
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Here’s to Games

Three officials of the World Games for the Deaf pause to toast the success of the venture, as teams from more than 30 countries arrive in Christchurch.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
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