1985
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.
NZSL Stories
1969
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Runs Hard At Drop Of Hanky
Noel Coventry is a 22-year-old deaf athlete and the sole New Zealand representative going to the Deaf Olympics in Yugoslavia. Club officials would drop a handkerchief for him to sight as a sign that the starting gun had been fired.
NZSL Stories
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 3)
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
1961
Object – Taonga source: John McRae
John McRae’s Wrestling Silver Medal: World Deaf Games, Helsinki 1961
NZSL Stories
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
New Zealanders at the World Deaf Games in Köln
Footage of the World Deaf Games in Köln, of New Zealanders in action. Two New Zealand athletes won medals at the games.
NZSL Stories
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.
NZSL Stories
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
1989
article – Taonga source: NZ Woman’s Weekly
The ‘silent’ games, a resounding success
A magnificent success is how organisers described the World Deaf Games in Christchurch. The 112-member New Zealand team – the biggest yet – won seven medals.
NZSL Stories
1989
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society
Bottle Opener: New Zealand Deaf Amateur Sports Association
NZSL Stories
1989
Object – Taonga source: Lorraine Butler
Bronze Medal: Women’s Basketball, 16th World Deaf Games, Christchurch
NZSL Stories
1973
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Athletes Cut Records
Three national records were equalled or passed at the national Deaf Sports Convention meeting held at Mt Smart yesterday (women's 400m, men's shotput, men's 100m relay).
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Advertisement: Calling all Kiwis…
Calling all Kiwis...Join in the fun at the XVI World Games for the Deaf. Telecom is proud to have sponsored the Telecommunication facilities at each sporting venue.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
First gold at games for New Zealand
Ooteman, 28, showed his superb form to score his third successive World Games for the Deaf gold medal in the prestigious time trial event.
NZSL Stories
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
1988
article – Taonga source: Sunday Times
Cancer forces athlete to pull out of Games
Olympic wrestling nominee Robert Algie is battling cancer in Palmerston North Hospital.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
The finished result
The result of Dick Poole's efforts was the official team photograph of the New Zealand team. The team mascot is in the centre of the front row alongside the coaches and team officials.
NZSL Stories
1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: January 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 1)
NZSL Stories
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!
NZSL Stories
1973
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team – Malmo, Sweden, July 1973
1985
Images – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Team Photo: New Zealand Deaf Sports Team, Los Angeles 1985
NZSL Stories
1989
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Bronze Medallists from Auckland Deaf Society: New Zealand Deaf Women’s Basketball Team
NZSL Stories
1961
article – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Deaf athletes for World Games
Five young deaf men fundraising for Helenski are touring the North Island in their car to help finance their trip.
1985
video – Taonga source: Tony Walton
New Zealanders compete in the cycling individual time trial event
New Zealanders, Hayden Costar and John Ooteman compete in the cycling individual time trial event. John won a gold medal in the 35km time trial with 51:10 minutes.
NZSL Stories
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.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Drug-testing at Games
Athletes at the sixteenth World Deaf Games will be randomly tested for drug use. Athletes to be tested would be selected before events by the executive of the Committee of the International Silent Sports (CISS).
NZSL Stories
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
1985
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.
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
1989
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Advertisement: 16th World Games for the Deaf
Tickets for the opening ceremony are at $8.00 while the closing ceremony is at $5.00. All other tickets prices are listed: $3.00 per ticket for 1 venue entry. $6.00 per ticket entry to all venues on 1 day. $40 ten venues entry on any day.
NZSL Stories