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1981
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Pennant: XIV World Games for the Deaf, Cologne, Germany 1981

Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

News Review update on finals at 1989 World Games for the Deaf

News Review presents a round-up of coverage of the 1989 World Games for the Deaf including a feature on a Deaf-blind wrestler, as well as the closing stages of games in the men’s football, volleyball and basketball.
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
biography
Profile

John Rua (Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal)

John Rua is a Master Carver, a living tohunga in his art. He has carved thousands of stunning artefacts which have been displayed in maraes and museums across the country, including the carving of Te Tira Hou meeting house in Auckland, Ohope Marae in Whatakane and Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Museum in the South Island. His most noticeable achievement was training carvers at the Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae in Christchurch, a project which took 8 years to complete.
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Twelve sports form busy programme

A summary of each sport featuring in the upcoming VXI World Deaf Games in Christchurch – soccer, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, handball, track and field, wrestling, cycling, swimming and badminton, with New Zealand contenders for medals.
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
  • Michael Lynch
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
biography
Profile

Daniel ‘Danny’ Beech (Benemerenti Medal)

Daniel (Danny) Beech was born in Pahiatua in 1942 and attended St Dominic’s School for Deaf Children from the age of 5. Danny embarked on a life crammed with commitment and loyalty to the NZ Deaf community.
1989
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Second gold to U.S. cyclist

At the basketball, also at Cowles Stadium, the New Zealand women beat Australia, 91-65, to notch the host country's first win in the sport. New Zealand led 45-26 at half-time and is now in the running for the bronze medal.
Pam Witko
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Susie Ovens
  • Terry Kane
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Deaf athletes visit Disneyland en route to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln!

New Zealand athletes stopover at Los Angeles on the way to the World Games for the Deaf in Köln, and make the most of the trip with a visit to Disneyland!
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
1953-85
Object – Taonga source: John McRae

N.Z. Kiwi Badge: Worn at multiple international Deaf events: CISS Congress 1953, Helsinki 1961, Washington 1965, Koln 1982 and Los Angeles 1985

John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Terry Kane
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
1989
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko

Silver to NZ runner in deaf marathon

New Zealand's Kevin Lawrence won silver in the World Games for the Deaf marathon yesterday, but had to survive a protest.
Pam Witko
NZSL Stories
  • Michael Lynch
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
1982
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly

Mime put to use

Susie Ovens, born 97% deaf, uses mime as one of the many methods to relate to the hearing world. She is also a member of the “Deaf Sign Singers”, a group of 11 deaf people who perform sign language to music.
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

WDG Köln 1981 team returns home

The NZ team returns from the XIV World Games for the Deaf, Köln, Germany 1981.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Bid took 12 years

Although many people will not have heard of the World Games for the Deaf, New Zealand's involvement with them spans 40 years. The first information about the games reached New Zealand in 1949 and the New Zealand Amateur Sports Association was formed.
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton
2020
video – Taonga source: Elizabeth Hines

Memories of triple World Deaf Games champion John Ooteman

New Zealand’s most acclaimed Deaf gold medallist, John Ooteman was a triple World Games for the Deaf champion (Koln 1981, Los Angeles 1985, Christchurch 1989). His story is told through the eyes of Elizabeth Hines, his Deaf sister.
Elizabeth Hines
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Italians win volleyball

The New Zealand volleyball team was missing its top five players when it came up against the Italians in its first match in the World Games for the Deaf. New Zealand went down to the more experienced Italians, 3-0, failing to score any points.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves

We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1981
article – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Money woes hit Deaf Games bid

The New Zealand team to compete in the World Deaf Games in West Germany later this month is $10,000 short of funds. The 20-strong team is due to buy its air travel tickets and is faced with having to borrow the deficit.
Margaret Coutts
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
1989
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch

Opening ceremony and events at the 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch 1989.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: December 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 6)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Hunt
  • Susie Ovens
1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts

News Review: Ready, Set, Go!

Susan Thomas takes the reins at the studio this week on ‘News Review’. The team recaps footage from the World Games of the Deaf which wrapped up on the Tuesday before. Watch records being broken, and some footage of our Kiwi athletes in action!
Rodney Roberts
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Michael Lynch
  • Terry Kane
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

World Deaf Games, Köln 1981

New Zealand team goes to XIV World Games for the Deaf in Köln, Germany in 1981.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1960-80s
Object – Taonga source: John McRae

Auckland Deaf Society Life Member: John McRae’s pin and badge collection of national and international Deaf sport events

John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jeff Went
1982
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

Sports convention for the deaf

Imagine a packed stadium and not one of the 10,000 spectators’ voices heard by the athletes competing. That was the scenario painted by deaf table tennis and basketball player Kaz Witko who travelled with the New Zealand team to the international deaf sports convention in West Germany last year.
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press

Deaf athletes will be out to win medals

The vice-chairman of the organising committee, Mrs Margaret Coutts, said yesterday "for two weeks there will be more deaf people on the street than hearing people. My heart is filled with gold because of the very big turn out – there are more athletes here than at the previous World Games in America (in 1985)."
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

First record falls in swimming

New Zealand swimmers Kathryn Olsson and Anva Cosgrove made their first appearance in the pool in the 100m freestyle. They finished fifth in their respective heats and failed to make the finals.
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Michael Lynch
1981
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: September 1981 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

DEAF GAMES

New Zealand finished the World Games for the deaf in California with a gold in cycling and a gold and silver in badminton – their best result ever.
NZSL Stories
  • Janet Watt
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Medals eyed in 3 events

Four New Zealand deaf athletes are favoured to win medals in swimming, cycling, and badminton. The 112-strong New Zealand team will compete in 11 of the 12 sports.
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Terry Kane
  • Michael Lynch
  • Pam Croskery
  • Janet Watt
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, 1981

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
1985
article – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

Representing his country at deaf games

Paparangi's Kaz Witko will be representing New Zealand at the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles later this year. At 36, Kaz is no stranger to playing sport for his country.
Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton