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: August 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
1969
article – Taonga source: John McRae

Cheering out for deaf

Most of these taking part in the sports convention last weekend live in a silvent world constantly. Yet no observer could have mistaken the enjoyment the spectators at the badminton expressed in their conversation, using signs and movements of their arms, hands and lips.
John McRae
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1998
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Heaviest Snapper of Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
1980s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Jacket: Auckland Deaf Sports Convention

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1997
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

National Deaf Interclub Fishing Trophy: Best Overall Team

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
1984
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1984

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Bob Scott Memorial Shield (Badminton), 1981

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
1994
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club Representatives, Easter 1994

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Ladies Singles Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
2000
video – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

ADS Basketball Club 50th Jubilee

The Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club celebrate their ‘Golden’ Anniversary, their 50th anniversary, at the ADS Balmoral clubrooms where people share their memories of being involved in the basketball club.
Shona McGhie
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
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
Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Open Golf – Wellington Deaf Golf Club vs Auckland Deaf Golf Club: Best Stableford

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
Est. 1974
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Barkla Cup, Women’s Doubles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1982
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Adrienne Killen Netball Trophy: Most Dedicated Club Member

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Mansell
1968
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Rosette: AUCKLAND – N.Z. Deaf Convention, Christchurch 1968

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
2005
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tie: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1940
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Adult Deaf Society: Steel Shield – Draughts

Auckland Deaf Society
1968
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1968

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1941
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Club: Paterson Trophy

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1989
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Men’s Basketball, 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
Est. 2005
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

DEAFinitely Youth Group Comedy Competition: Best Female Performer

Auckland Deaf Society
2008
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Zone Lawn Bowls Team, 2008

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Neeley Trophy: Men’s Indoor Basketball – Past v Present

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

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. (ADS)

Auckland Deaf Society
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
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
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
2003
video – Taonga source: DEAFinitely Youth Group

The first Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off!

The first ever Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off in 2003, as a fundraiser for Deaf Youth to attend the WFD Congress in Montreal, Canada.
DEAFinitely Youth Group
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery