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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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
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
1954
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons

Socialising at Labour Weekend Wellington 1954

Athletes and spectators take a day out from the sporting competition to have fun in Wellington, 1954.
Owen Gibbons
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • 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 Sports Representatives, Wellington 1977

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Sharron Attwood
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Kevin Pivac
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
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Basketball Club, 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
1992
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

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

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1970
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, Winners of Brian Smither Cup, 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
1996
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Group Photo: Northern Team, 39th N.Z. Deaf Games, Auckland 1996

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1976
video – Taonga source: Sue Penman

NZ Deaf Sports Convention, Palmerston North 1976

The Christchurch team travel to Palmerston North for the NZ Deaf Sports Convention on Labour Weekend, 1976.
Sue Penman
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
2006
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1974
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

Deaf News of New Zealand: 1974 (Vol. 11, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • John Hunt
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Women’s Basketball, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • John Mansell
  • Susie Ovens
  • Doug Croskery
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
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
1970-80s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Netball and Athletic Uniform: Manawatu Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • 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
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2000
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Bronze Medal: Men’s Ten Pin Bowling, NZ Games for the Deaf, Palmerston North 2000

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
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
1995
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Manawatu Deaf Society, New Zealand Games for the Deaf Inter-Club Competitions at Porirua, October 1995

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
1998
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Team Photo: Central Districts Deaf Netball Team, 1998

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1969
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1969

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
1975
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1975

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
1983
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sport Convention, Dunedin 1983

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Milton Reedy
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
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
1972
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Athletic Singlet: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Women’s Ten Pin Bowling Interclub: New Zealand Games for the Deaf

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton