Deaf Sports Federation of New Zealand (DSFNZ) was established in 1963 and is the only national organisation which is responsible for sports to be benefitable to Deaf athletes in New Zealand. The organisation is an affiliated member of International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (formelly CISS) and has several Deaf Sport Associations, which hosts their own Open Champtionship events. The New Zealand Deaf Games is the largest part of the Deaf Sport Federation of New Zealand.

DSFNZ have decided to build up the pool of elite athletes in preparation for the 2009 Deaflympics in Taiwan, and plan for the future as well as developing a few key initiatives they are considering undertaking, including: a paid employee to take the pressure off the volunteer Executive Board, raising the profile of DSFNZ nationally, undertaking the development of youth initiatives, coaching, training for officials for future Deaflympics and other events. In 2006 the Executive Board decided that a strategic plan was needed and to identify these initiatives and plan how to achieve these initiatives. This Strategic Plan will provide direction and structure to these initiatives. It also provides DSFNZ with a key document to use when applying for money to funding agencies.