Los Angeles — SignDNA - Deaf National Archive New Zealand

video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of John Hunt

John Hunt, well-known for his involvement in the Deaf community – talks about establishing the NZ Deaf News, his journey towards becoming a life member of NZ Deaf Sports Association, having had a role in its founding; working as the first Deaf Field Officer for NZAD, and compiling ‘The Story of the Auckland Deaf Society Inc 1937-1987.

AUT Visual Languages Section

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Engine issue delays the New Zealand team’s journey to Los Angeles

Narrated by Tony Walton, the New Zealand team’s plans are disrupted two hours into their flight with an engine problem. They are forced to return back to Auckland.

article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

More than 1300 involved

About 100 interpreters have been trained in Christchurch over the last year. The classes were organised by the hearing people but the deaf were the teachers. It is only the second time that New Zealand sign language has been taught in this country.

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Opening ceremony of the VX World Games for the Deaf

New Zealand sends 30 athletes to the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, with footage of the opening ceremony. The flagbearer for New Zealand was John Ooteman, with Susie Ovens carrying the kiwi mascot. The Gallaudet Dance Company also put on a performance. Footage shows a fly by with a sign saying ‘WELCOME WORLD GAMES FOR THE DEAF’.

publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: Easter 1985 (Vol. 8, No. 1)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

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.

publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)

Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Penelope Went and Pamela Croskery: Silver Medallists, Badminton Ladies Doubles – Los Angeles 1985

Auckland Deaf Society

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

And the gold goes to John Ooteman!

Dressed in jandals, John Ooteman takes to the podium for his gold medal in the 35 km time trial, supported by a crew of New Zealand supporters.

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

article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star

Penny…and her thoughts

Penny Went collected a silver medal at the last World Games for the Deaf – now she is home and aiming for gold.

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Patch: Los Angeles 85, World Games for Deaf

Margaret Coutts

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

New Zealand delegates attend CISS meeting

The two New Zealand delegates, John McRae and Margaret Coutts, attend the CISS (Comité International des Sports des Sourds) meeting whilst at the Los Angeles World Games of the Deaf.

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.

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

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!

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.

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Badminton singles at WGD 1985: Post-game analysis

Watch the New Zealanders on court at the World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles! Doug Croskery, Jonathan Anton and Janet Watts each give a post-game commentary on the outcome of badminton matches played by Carolyn Hamlin, Lindsay Bamford and Penny Went.

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

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Los Angeles 1985: An update from the team manager with team results

The New Zealand team manager, Tony Walton, reports on the team’s results at the Los Angeles 1985 World Deaf Games including where the team stayed and played at.

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Indoor Basketball: Team New Zealand falls to Sweden

The New Zealand basketball team battled it out with Sweden on 13 July 1985, at Pepperdine University, Malibu. The first half went to Sweden, 81 to 25, before the New Zealanders fought back for a better second half, ending with 156 to Sweden and 74 to New Zealand. It was the New Zealand basketball team’s second loss at the Games, having earlier lost to Israel. They came 7th out of 8 teams at the Games.

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games

Margaret Coutts

article – Taonga source: The Press

Interpreters spent year on training

Nearly 90 Christchurch people have spent the last year training to be interpreters at the World Games for the Deaf, with about 50 deaf people teaching the volunteers their language.

article – Taonga source: The Press

Big sporting event on shoestring budget

The Games will be about the same size as the 1974 sporting extravaganza in Christchurch, the Commonwealth Games. Yet it has been orchestrated on a budget of $700,000 – about one-third of the cost of the opening ceremony planned for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

Kiwi Power! Gold (and silver) in the badminton ladies doubles

Watch Carolyn Hamlin and Janet Watt’s final match in the ladies doubles; they win the game for the gold! In second place is Pam Croskery and Penny Went, both also from New Zealand.

Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Mini Booklet: NZ and USA sign language alphabet, in preparation for the upcoming XV World Deaf Games 1985

Auckland Deaf Society

Object – Taonga source: John McRae

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

Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts

Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games

Margaret Coutts

video – Taonga source: Tony Walton

New Zealand table tennis players battle it out at Los Angeles 1985

The New Zealand table tennis team finds the going tough at the World Deaf Games. Representatives were Adrian Winterburn, John Lovell, Kaz Witko, Thelma May (Coach).

article – Taonga source: The Evening Post

World Deaf Games lost to NZ – but not through Boks

New Zealand was passed over in its bid to host the World Deaf Games in 1985 – but not because of any Springbok tour snub, prominent local sports administrator, Mr Alan Barrett, believes.