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

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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Deaf Bowls Auckland

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

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2002
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, Cunniffe Memorial Cup Winners 2002

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, Teams ‘A’ and ‘B’, 1982

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
2001
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington/Central Districts Deaf Men’s Basketball Team, 2001

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics Representatives, October 1966

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Terry Kane
  • Doug Croskery
1972
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Wellington 1972

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1972 (Vol. 9, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
1992
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Basketball Club, 1992

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 4)

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
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
2003
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

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

‘News Review’ puts a spotlight on the New Zealand Deaf Games in Christchurch over the weekend of 23 – 26 October 1987

The 32nd New Zealand Games for the Deaf is featured on News Review, covering athletics, basketball, table tennis, lawn bowls and netball. The question, ‘Why have a Deaf Games?’ is put forward to competitors and officials! Footage also features the much appreciated ‘Canterbury Duck’ that Deaf kids had requested more of!
Deaf Society of Canterbury
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1984
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

N.Z. Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Bernie Clews Trophy: Outstanding Men’s Basketball Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2001
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Netball Club, 2001

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
1952
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1952

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

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society Basketball Team, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1979

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Indoor Netball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1992
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Souvenir Badge: 36th N.Z. Games for the Deaf

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1980
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Watch out for the whistle

An Auckland-Manawatu netball game with a difference – all the players were deaf. Deaf people from all over New Zealand are participating in the 25th NZ deaf sports convention which began in Hamilton yesterday.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1981
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Palmerston North 1981

Interesting footage of the NZ Deaf Sports Convention in Palmerston North, 1981, filmed by Sue Penman.
Sue Penman
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1989
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Society Men’s Basketball Team, New Zealand Deaf Games 1989

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team 2002, Winners of the Aotearoa Turi Shield

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

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Women’s Basketball Team, 1993

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Arriving for the Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952

Members of the Auckland Deaf community welcome friends and competitors from nationwide for the annual Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, and take a trip into Auckland City.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Team, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
Est. 2008
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

NZ Deaf Games Inter-Zone Champion: Deaf Indoor Bowls

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton