HomeDeaf Community EventsNew Zealand Deaf Games

The New Zealand Deaf Games (formerly the New Zealand Deaf Societies Convention until 1970, when it began to be called the New Zealand Convention of the Deaf, then the New Zealand Games for the Deaf, before changing once again in 2003 to the New Zealand Deaf Games). Traditionally held in October during Labour Weekend since 1949, the Games was a great opportunity for generations of Deaf New Zealanders to meet, socialise, exchange information and to keep NZSL alive. In 2017, Deaf Sports New Zealand held a Special General Meeting to vote on changes to the Deaf Sports New Zealand Constitution and also the New Zealand Deaf Games bylaws. The New Zealand Deaf Games were no longer restricted to Deaf athletes but would instead welcome hearing athletes to compete in the newly created Social Grade. There has not been a NZDG since 2016.

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1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

NZ Deaf Sports Convention 1955 – Christchurch

NZ Deaf Sports Convention is held at Rugby Park, Christchurch in 1955.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
1995
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Netball Club, 1995

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1976
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Twenty First Deaf Sports Convention

This month, the Manawatu Deaf Club will again host the Annual New Zealand Deaf Convention. It will be the twenty-first with over 200 people competing. 160-170 will be from Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch and Southland. Local competitors make up the total.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1964
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1964

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1979
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Brian Smither Cup, 1979

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
2006
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Bronze Medal: Darts, New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1968
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Group Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Christchurch Deaf Convention Tour Party, 1968

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

NZ Games for the Deaf, Millennium Trophy: Interclub Winner – Darts

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1982
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Sports convention for the deaf

Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing. That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year.
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

75th Jubilee Memorial Shield: Tug-of-War between New Zealand Deaf Societies

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
2003
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Deaf Indoor Netball Team, Northern A, 2003

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Schischka
Est. 2008
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

NZ Deaf Games Inter-Zone Champion: Deaf Indoor Bowls

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1986
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Women’s Basketball, 1986

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Basketball finals pull in the crowds at the NZ Deaf Games, Christchurch 1987

The popular basketball programme was hosted over two days at Cowles Stadium with footage coverage of the Manawatu and Christchurch ladies competing for the Otago Deaf Society Cup, which Manawatu won (19-15). The winner of the Cunliffe Memorial Cup (men’s) went to Christchurch, with the runner up Wellington (63-56).
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Trophy, Indoor Basketball 1977

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Sharron Attwood
1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Winners of Oxspring Shield (Athletics), 1982

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
2005
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Silver Medal: Ten Pin Bowling, New Zealand Deaf Games, New Plymouth 2005

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, Hamilton 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Terry Kane
1964
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1964

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Northern Deaf Golf – NZ Deaf Games

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1964-65
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1964-65 (Vol. 2, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1966

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
2009
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Silver Medal: Lawn Bowls, New Zealand Deaf Games, Christchurch 2009

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Social Evening: Wrapping up the 32nd NZ Games for the Deaf

The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf wrapped up with a presentation dinner-and-dance evening at Addington Raceway’s ‘Twiggers’ on Sunday 25th October 1987. A jam-packed evening with plenty of talking, sitting down, a buffet meal, dancing to live music, and group photos, with the venue closing 1.30am!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Jonathan Anton
1998
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winner 1998

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1981
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Netball Competition and Labour Weekend, 1981

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
2006
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

8 Ball Pool Shirt: Northern Deaf Eight Ball Pool

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Tony Walton
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Picnic at Waihora Park Domain

Participants in the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Deaf Societies have a full-day picnic at Waihora Park Domain, in Motukarara with plenty of races!
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton