HomeDeaf ClubsAuckland Deaf Society

Established in 1937, Auckland Deaf Society (ADS) is New Zealand’s largest (and second oldest) Deaf Club. Previously called the ‘Auckland Adult Deaf Society’ and the ‘Deaf Welfare Centre’, the club’s original home was at an old shop on 47 Parnell Road in Auckland, before moving to 164 Balmoral Road with enormous support from the ‘Friends of the Deaf’. Auckland Deaf Society is now located at 16 Hillsborough Road. The 43-minute long ‘My Second Home’ documentary takes you through the history of Auckland Deaf Society. Its Senior Citizens group has amassed a large number of films and donated them to SignDNA. They cover a wide range of events and activities, many of which continue today in one form or another. Objects were photographed in 2024. If you have more archival items relevant to Auckland Deaf Society, please get in touch.

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1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1981
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club: Mixed Pairs

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Forman Bros Cup: Goaler of the Year – Basketball

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1978
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Hanley Shield: Auckland Deaf Dramatic Competition

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Jacket: Auckland Deaf Sports Convention

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jeff Went
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1937–1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Badge: Auckland Adult Deaf Society, 1937-1956

Auckland Deaf Society
1995
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Plaque: New Zealand Tour 2005 – Australian Deaf Rugby vs Northern Zone Deaf Rugby

Auckland Deaf Society
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Netball Pennant: 24th N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, Host Christchurch 1979

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Doug Croskery
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Terry Kane
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jonathan Anton
1990s
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Deaf kaumatua celebrates 50 years of life at Auckland Deaf Society

The 50th birthday of Ivan Tamepo - a respected Deaf elder – is celebrated at ADS, with a karanga, powhiri, waitaia and celebrations in the back hall and upstairs clubroom.
Hilda Tamepo
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Bob Scott Memorial Shield (Badminton), 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1984
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Runners Up, Basketball, 29th N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention – Auckland 1984

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
2010
Object – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

Framed Memorabilia: Mary Johnson and her MNZM medal, awarded 2010

Mary Johnson
2002
video – Taonga source: Sara Pivac Alexander

International Postcard: New Zealand

DeafTV from Denmark makes a trip to New Zealand to feature the country and its Deaf community on its ‘International Postcard’ series, with scenes from a normal Friday night at the Deaf Club, a trip to the Deaf Association office. The Deaf Danish crew are also welcomed onto the Rūaumoko Marae.
Sara Pivac Alexander
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Ringers – Takapuna

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Ten debutantes curtsy at ball for Deaf Society

There were differences in the presentation of 10 debutantes to the Mayor, Mr Ashby and Mrs Ashby in the Farmers' Trading Company's banquet hall last night. Because each of the debutantes were deaf, small changes in procedures had been arranged. The ball was organised by the Adult Deaf Society.
Auckland Deaf Society
1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball Club: 25th Jubilee, 1950-1975

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
2004
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2004

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Laying foundations at Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre

A group of Deaf men busily work on laying the foundations for the new Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, later to become the property of the Auckland Deaf Society.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Deaf Bowls Auckland

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Club: T.G. Kane Cup – Men’s Double

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club: Best Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1973
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Bringing Beauty to the Deaf

Make-up sessions for deaf women were set up, teaching how to use glossers, glissers, eyeliners, shaders, blushers and highlights.
Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Monaca Cup, Women’s Singles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
1953
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Institute To Be Started In Auckland Soon

The Friends of the Deaf has paid £3000 for a three-quarter acre site at 166 Balmoral Road and in the new year it will begin to erect there the first permanent institute for deaf adults in New Zealand.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka