The 32nd Annual New Zealand Games for the Deaf was hosted by Christchurch in 1987. The popular basketball programme was hosted over two days at Cowles Stadium (Friday 23rd October 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Saturday 23rd October from 4:00pm to 9:00pm). Footage covers the last day of the match with Manawatu and Christchurch ladies competing for the Otago Deaf Society Cup, which Manawatu won (19-15). The winner of the Cunliffe Memorial Cup (men’s) went to Christchurch, with the runner up Wellington (63-56). Third place went to Hawkes Bay, with Auckland in fourth place.
Presentation and raffle prizes are announced at the end of the night. Dennis Tod was the Christchurch basketball delegate, and Peter Murray the basketball technical delegate.
The 32nd Annual NZ Games for the Deaf in Christchurch provided valuable experience for hosting the World Deaf Games to be held in Christchurch in January 1989. It also allowed for the selection of the New Zealand Deaf team. There would be no NZ Games for the Deaf in the following year – Labour Weekend 1988 – to allow athletes to prepare for the World Games for the Deaf in January 1989. The Aotearoa Turi Shield went to Christchurch. The Outstanding Sportsperson award went to Ricki Pointon (Wellington).
