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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Est. 1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Albion Press Trophy, NZ Games for the Deaf: Golf Women’s Inter Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Athletic Singlet: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1993
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling, October 1993

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling, October 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain

During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
1970
article – Taonga source: Evening Standard

Deaf Convention Sports Results

Results from the New Zealand Deaf Convention's sports being held in Palmerston North during Labour Weekend.
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Auckland Leagues Club Cup (Golf), 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Combined Sports Representatives, 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1973

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
1951
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Travelling to Wellington for NZ Deaf Sports Convention, 1951

A group of Auckland Deaf travel to and from Wellington for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention during Labour Weekend, 1951.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Northern Deaf Golf – NZ Deaf Games

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
2006
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Central A & B Ten Pin Bowling, 2006

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Cup, Basketball, Auckland 1973

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
1954
Images – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Team Photo: Wellington Society for the Deaf Table Tennis Team, Winners New Zealand Deaf Societies Table Tennis Shield, 1954

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1995
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Women’s Basketball Team, 1995

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1953
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

NZ Deaf Sports Convention Christchurch 1953

The 1953 New New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention is held in Christchurch, with sports, fun, and day trips.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
1987
video – Taonga source: Deaf Society of Canterbury

Athletics at the 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf: Christchurch 1987

The popular athletics interclub and open championship ran to a tight program, from 8:00am to 12:00 noon. The Oxspring Shield for interclub athletics went to Auckland with 32 points. The 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf in Christchurch provided valuable experience for hosting the World Deaf Games to be held in Christchurch in January 1989. At Cowles Stadium, Shona McGhie and Tony Walton are also interviewed by News Review.
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 2012
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

New Zealand Deaf Games: Men’s Darts Winner

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

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Bob Scott Memorial Shield (Badminton), 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
Est. 1950
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Cunniffe Memorial Cup: N.Z. Deaf Societies Men’s Basketball Challenge Cup

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
1985
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Women’s Basketball Club, 1985

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
2000
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Women Basketball, 2000

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Tony Walton
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Mixed Touch Team, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1995
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Netball Club, 1995

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representatives, 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
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
  • Sharron Attwood
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Netball, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Deaf Picnics
Deaf Picnics
Deaf Picnics
Collection

Deaf Picnics

Everyone loves a good picnic, especially if you’re Deaf and the picnic is organised by your local Deaf Club! Collection of archival items related to Deaf picnics over the years, with videos, images, news snippets from newsletters and NZSL stories!
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • John Mansell
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Athletics Pennant: 24th N.Z Deaf Sports Convention, Host Christchurch 1979

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
1983
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Dunedin 1983

A good crowd gathers to the deep south, Dunedin for the NZ Deaf Sports Convention in 1983.
Sue Penman
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac