
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Auckland gives the New Zealand Deaf team a proper send off!
The New Zealand Deaf team marched on Dominion Road, accompanied by police, with farewell speeches at Auckland Deaf Society before departing for the 15th World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles.

NZSL Stories


1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Patch: Los Angeles 85, World Games for Deaf






NZSL Stories


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.


NZSL Stories


1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
DEAF GAMES
An update from the World Deaf Games in Los Angeles, where Carolyn Hamlin and Janet Watt (New Zealand) beat Pam Croskery and Penelope Went (New Zealand) in badminton doubles.
NZSL Stories


1985
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.







































NZSL Stories


1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
Medal ceremony: Our badminton champions collect their medals!
It’s not often we get to see four New Zealanders on the podium at the same time, and that is what we get in this video! It's most certainly time to break out the champagne when the team gets back to their base with a speech by the team manager.







































NZSL Stories


1985
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’.







































NZSL Stories


1985
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: Los Angeles 1985, XV World Deaf Games






NZSL Stories


1985
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.







































NZSL Stories


1985
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, Los Angeles 1985






NZSL Stories


2017
article – Taonga source: The Press.
Deaf community was home for Margaret Coutts
An obituary on Margaret Coutts who was "the mother of deaf sports", an active leader and strong positive role-model to younger members of the Deaf community. She was the first female president of the Christchurch Deaf Club, and was awarded a NZ Commemoration Medal for her contributions in 1990.


NZSL Stories


1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 2)
NZSL Stories


1984-85
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Mini Booklet: NZ and USA sign language alphabet, in preparation for the upcoming XV World Deaf Games 1985



NZSL Stories


1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)
NZSL Stories


1982
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: October 1982 (Vol. 19, No. 3)
NZSL Stories


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



NZSL Stories


1981
article – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Games Loss ‘A Blow’ For Deaf Team
New Zealand athletes who took part in the World Deaf Games in Cologne arrived home unhappy about losing their bid to host the 1985 Deaf Games in Christchurch.






NZSL Stories


1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: Spring 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 3)
NZSL Stories


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!


NZSL Stories


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.


NZSL Stories


1985
article – Taonga source: The Evening Post
DEAF GAMES
New Zealand won its first gold medal at the World Games for the Deaf in California yesterday when cyclist John Ooteman (Fielding) won the 35km time trial in 51m 10s. Also includes results from the New Zealand team.
NZSL Stories


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



NZSL Stories


1981
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.
NZSL Stories


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


1985
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).







































NZSL Stories


1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Badge: New Zealand Flag






NZSL Stories


1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Penelope Went and Pamela Croskery: Silver Medallists, Badminton Ladies Doubles – Los Angeles 1985



NZSL Stories


1985
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.







































NZSL Stories


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


1985
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.







































NZSL Stories











