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.

reset filter
2008
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Silver Medal: Lawn Bowls, 48th New Zealand Deaf Games, Palmerston North 2008

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Framed Pocket Patch: Auckland Deaf Ten Pin Bowling

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

Athletic Singlet: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2001
Object – Taonga source: Hawkes Bay Deaf Club

Bronze Medal: Ten Pin Bowling, NZ Deaf Games, Christchurch 2001

Hawkes Bay Deaf Club
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
1949-1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Rosette: Auckland Adult Deaf Society, worn at Sport Conventions

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1986
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • 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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Adult Deaf Picnic: Trip to Motuihe Domain

Deaf adults enjoying ice cream, beer, and bathing suits, all while watching HMNZ Tamaki navy recruits training on Motuihe Island.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
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
1984
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Winner, Table Tennis, 29th N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention – Auckland 1984

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • 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
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
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
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Central Men Basketball, 46th New Zealand Deaf Games, Dunedin 2006

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2000
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, Winners of ‘The Brian Smithers Cup’ 2000

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1971
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
Est. 1970
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Aotearoa Turi Shield: Total Points – New Zealand Deaf Games/Sports Convention

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1951
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Pennant: Wellington Deaf Society Basketball, 1951

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

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

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
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1972
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Deaf Sports Convention In Wellington Attracts Many Entries

The New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association’s annual convention in Wellington at the weekend has attracted 250 entries from New Zealand and Australia to what is fast becoming a major New Zealand sporting event.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1996-97
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Summer 1996/97

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • 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
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
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Sharron Attwood
1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1960
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1960

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
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
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac