Tony Walton, President of NZDSA during the 1989 World Deaf Games, reflects on a key decision at the opening ceremony: whether to sign in NZSL or use International Sign. He chose NZSL, trusting the international interpreters to handle the rest. Once the Games were officially declared open, the CISS flag made a dramatic entrance by parachute, passed from hand to hand by past medal winners. CISS President Jerald Jordan was then formally welcomed with a hongi, in true Aotearoa fashion.
NZSL or International Sign? Tony’s Opening Ceremony Choice
2025 •
- Deaf Organisations
- Deaf Sports
Tony Walton, President of NZDSA during the 1989 World Deaf Games, reflects on a key decision at the opening ceremony: whether to sign in NZSL or use International Sign. He chose NZSL, trusting the international interpreters to handle the rest. Once the Games were officially declared open, the CISS flag made a dramatic entrance by parachute, passed from hand to hand by past medal winners. CISS President Jerald Jordan was then formally welcomed with a hongi, in true Aotearoa fashion.
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Relevant Links
Taonga source:
Tony Walton
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, TWADS-09-STO25
Copyright status:
This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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1983
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News
NZ Deaf News: March 1983 (Vol. 20, No. 2)
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1988
article – Taonga source: Christchurch Star
Here’s to Games
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1989
video – Taonga source: Rodney Roberts
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Handheld footage from the stadium shows the closing ceremony of the 16th World Games for the Deaf held in Christchurch. Athletes parade into the stadium to witness closing speeches with their family and fans looking on.
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1980s
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Silver Pin: N.Z Fern
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
Interpreters spent year on training
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NZSL Stories
1989
Object – Taonga source: Margaret Coutts
Souvenir Pin Badge: 16th World Games for the Deaf, Christchurch NZ
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1989
article – Taonga source: The Press
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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: 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.
NZSL Stories
1989
article – Taonga source: Kerry Titcombe
Soccer win to Australia
New Zealand showed how much it has improved in the soccer tournament at the World Games for the Deaf when it took two goals in the last 5 min by Australia to beat it in the play-off for ninth place at English Park today.
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1987
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive
‘Spot On’ visits a Deaf basketball training session
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