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
2002
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

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

Clive Morgan
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1976
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Cup, 1976

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

Framed Pocket Patch: Auckland Deaf Ten Pin Bowling

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
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
1991
Images – Taonga source: Clive Morgan

Team Photo: Wellington Deaf Basketball Team, New Zealand Deaf Games 1991

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

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1968

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
1989
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Men’s Basketball, 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
1989
publication – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

33rd New Zealand Games for the Deaf: Wellington, 19-23 October 1989

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
1993
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Team, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1979
Images – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

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

Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
1972
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
1983
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Winners Oxspring Shield (Athletic), 1983

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

New Zealand Deaf Games in Wellington 1989

Coverage from the New Zealand Deaf Games in Wellington 1989, including athletics, long jump, discus, shot-put. The men’s basketball final saw Wellington competing against Christchurch, followed by a closing awards ceremony.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

ADS Badminton Club celebrates its 40th birthday!

The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Doug Croskery
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

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

NZ Deaf News: 1971 (Vol. 8, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1972
video – Taonga source: Pam and Doug Croskery

Auckland Deaf Men’s Basketball team training

On Auckland’s West Coast, Auckland Deaf basketball men train for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Wellington 1972.
Pam and Doug Croskery
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • 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
1990-00s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Northern Deaf Golf Team – NZ Deaf Games

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Spring 1966 (Vol. 4, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1964-65
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
  • 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
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics Representatives, October 1966

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1980
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Tee Shirt: 25th Anniversary, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1949-1980

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

Deaf Day Trip to Orewa!

During one of the first New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, a group of Deaf take a day trip to Orewa.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
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
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton