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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1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Annual Picnic at Orewa Beach 1952

Auckland Deaf Adult Society’s annual picnic takes place north of Orewa beach.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Ringers – Takapuna

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1977
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Trophy, Indoor Basketball 1977

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Sharron Attwood
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 2010

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Terry Kane
1974
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball Club, 1974

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1975
video – Taonga source: Janice and Gary Howard

Auckland Netball Club’s 1st Birthday

The Auckland Deaf Netball Club runs a social event to celebrate its first anniversary in 1976.
Janice and Gary Howard
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1992
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling, October 1992

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Record Kahawai of Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Schischka
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
1960s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Basketball Singlet: Auckland Deaf Society, 1960s

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Foundation Stone Ceremony

The foundation stone ceremony for the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre 1958.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling Club: Overall High Series (Scratch)

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
Est. 1983
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Jenkin Cup: All Round Ladies Swimming Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Top: Auckland Deaf Indoor Bowls Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1970
video – Taonga source: Pam and Doug Croskery

Deaf social rugby match: Married vs Single men

An informal annual rugby game between teams of Deaf men, married and single, which was played on one of Kelston Deaf Education Centre’s fields.
Pam and Doug Croskery
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1952
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1952

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
1979
publication – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

Ephpheta: December 1979 (Vol. 2, No. 4)

St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1969
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sole N.Z. entrant for Deaf Games

Coventry was selected as a sole member of the New Zealand team to attend the July Deaf Olympics in Yugoslavia.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
1968
article – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

From Being Shut Out – World Of Fun Opens For Deaf

Weekly yoga exercises at the Deaf Welfare Centre in Balmoral, where the instructor knocks the floor so the class knows when the time has come to "breathe out".
Mary Johnson
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jeff Went
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Michelle Kruger
2002
video – Taonga source: Kevin and Lynette Pivac

Extended version: Deaf Rugby World Cup final – New Zealand vs Wales

Extended version: New Zealand play Wales in the Deaf Rugby World Championship final at Eden Park, Auckland in 2002.
Kevin and Lynette Pivac
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
1993
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling, October 1993

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1962
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deafness helps him to be champ

Stewart Smith, deaf secretary of the Deaf Welfare Centre, has rounded off a successful season by winning the Auckland indoor centre's champion-of-champion singles.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
2016
video – Taonga source: Attitude Pictures

Parenting with Sign Language

We’re alongside Sarah who is Deaf and preparing to give birth to her first child. Having been there twice before, Deaf parents Victoria and Greg, are on hand for advice.
Attitude Pictures
Est. 1991
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

New Zealand Deaf Sports Association: Dunedin Superstrike, Most Outstanding Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Fishing Club: Crap Fishing of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Richard Hay
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery