HomeCollectionDeaf Rugby in New Zealand

New Zealand loves its rugby, and the Deaf community is no exception. Rugby has played a significant role in the New Zealand Deaf community, not only for the basics such as fitness and discipline, but also a chance to bond as a Deaf team. Rugby has also given the chance to many youths who may be entering the Deaf community for the first time, to find a connection and place to belong. The Deaf rugby battlefield has seen many epic regional and international clashes, and the rivalries are intense right up to the final whistle!

  • Deaf Sports
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1991
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: December 1991

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1989
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1989 (Vol. 23. No. 1)

2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

The Deaf Rugby Team: Part Two

Leading into the biggest competition of the year, we get to know more about some of the players in the Marlins, Auckland’s Deaf Rugby team; Opeti the family man, Talia the bodybuilder, Sailusi who wants a job and David who is a first-time dad.
Attitude Pictures
2000
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

First National Deaf Womens’ Sevens Tournament

On an Easter Friday afternoon, 22 April 2000, for the first time in history the National Deaf Women’s Seven Tournament was played between the Southern and Central teams at the Canterbury Rugby League Stadium.
Rodney Roberts
2015
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 22nd National Deaf Rugby Championship, 2015

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2000
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Central Zone holds onto the Shield!

Footage of all three men's games of the 2000 National Deaf Rugby Championships at the Canterbury Rugby League Stadium, combined into one clip. Includes pre-match Deaf cheerleading display.
Rodney Roberts
1990-91
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring/Summer 1990/91 (Vol. 24. No. 2)

Est. 1994
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

New Zealand Deaf Rugby Football Union Inc: National Deaf Zonal Championships

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2017
Images – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf Rugby

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Rugby v England Deaf Rugby, 2017

New Zealand Deaf Rugby
2002
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Signed Rugby Ball: Deaf Blacks, 2002

Manawatu Deaf Society
1992
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

Manawatu Deaf Society celebrates its 30th anniversary!

The Manawatu Deaf Society clubroom at Totara Road is jam-packed as the club celebrates its 30th anniversary!
Rodney Roberts
2017
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby, 2017

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2011
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 18th National Deaf Rugby Inter-Zonal Championships, 2011

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2002
video – Taonga source: Kevin and Lynette Pivac

Māori & Pacific Island Deaf play against Japan Deaf Rugby XV

TVNZ’s Marae programme features the friendly game between Deaf Māori & Pacific Island Invitational XV and the Japan Deaf Rugby team. It includes the pre-match team talk with coach Richard Peri, karakia from kaumatua Ivan Tamepo, and discussions with assistant Togia Lanefale. It concludes with highlights of the match which was closely fought but finally won by Japan 20-17.
Kevin and Lynette Pivac
1992
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: March 1992

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Winter 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 4)

2011
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Signed Rugby Ball: Central Zone Deaf Rugby, 2011

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1990-00s
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Jersey: Central Zone Deaf Rugby, 1995-2000

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1998
video – Taonga source: Inside Out

Deaf Blacks players to tour Wales selected at the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship

The deciding match of the 1998 National Deaf Rugby Interzonal Championship played in Wellington over Easter weekend, and cementing a place in the New Zealand Deaf team that toured Wales in November 1998.
Inside Out
1999
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, Central Zone, 1999

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1992
video – Taonga source: Point of View Productions

‘See What I Mean’

'See What I Mean' presents two real-life stories: the story of a family who were all born Deaf, and a journalist who loses her hearing. It offers positive advice about hearing loss as well as celebrating the New Zealand Deaf community.
Point of View Productions
1995
Object – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Banner: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, Winners 1995, National Deaf Rugby Inter-Zonal Championships

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of John McRae

John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
Hilda Tamepo
1994
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Football Union, Winners of First Fifteen National Championship, April 1994

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1993
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: September 1993

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1999
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Autumn 1999

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
1999
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Rahui Deaf Rugby Team, Senior Reserve 1999

Clive Morgan
2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

Memories of Owen Gibbons

Owen Gibbons shares some life experiences in this video shot at his home in Auckland. Using various photographs and props, Owen touches on his many Deaf related involvements and memories, including his times at Deaf school, his working life, his passion for Deaf sports and his family.
Mary Johnson
2007
Images – Taonga source: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union

Team Photo: Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union, 14th National Deaf Inter-Zonal Championship Winners, 2007

Central Zone Deaf Rugby Union
1992
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

The beginnings of Easter Deaf Rugby: Northern Region vs Southern Region

The second game of 15-a-side Deaf rugby tournament in New Zealand: Southern Region seek to avenge their earlier defeat to the Northern Region.
Rodney Roberts