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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2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Terry Kane
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Shirley Bregmen
1983
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sport Convention, Dunedin 1983

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Milton Reedy
  • Shirley Bregmen
Late 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Souvenir Coaster: Auckland Deaf Society

Manawatu Deaf Society
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
2005
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tie: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1986
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Sports Indoor Bowls Club: Ladies Singles

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

Deaf Athletes Cut Records

Three national records were equalled or passed at the national Deaf Sports Convention meeting held at Mt Smart yesterday (women's 400m, men's shotput, men's 100m relay).
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Men’s Indoor Basketball: Katu Shield – Married vs Single

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • John Schischka
  • Cecilia Waitohi
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
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1969
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sport Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1969

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Aggregate Points

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Social and Sports Executive Committee, 1980-81

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
Est. 1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

The O’Sullivan Cup: Men’s Darts

Auckland Deaf Society
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre building progress

The building of the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, followed by footage of the Balmoral Bowling Club, and the newly opened Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
1976
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: March 1976 (Vol. 13, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Hunt
  • Richard Hay
2001
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Ten Pin Bowling, 2001

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
1993
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
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
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
2016
video – Taonga source: Seek the World

Mingling with locals at Auckland Deaf Club

Two visitors from America (Seek the World and Motion Savvy) gives a short presentation at Auckland Deaf Society on a tablet app that understands sign language. Calvin Young gives a brief tour of the Deaf Club and chats with its President, John Schischka.
Seek the World
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Ringers – Takapuna

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Cunniffe Memorial Cup, Basketball, Auckland 1973

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

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: March 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Colleen Norris
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
1988
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1988

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap

On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
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
2006
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Zone Women’s Netball, 2006

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Plaque: Auckland Deaf Society, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

History through Young Eyes: Interview with Jeff Went

Jeff Went talks about his involvement with Deaf sports and the 1989 World Deaf Games in Christchurch where he volunteered as an ‘international interpreter’ doing 12 hour days over 12 days!
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Janet Watt
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society 8 Ball Pool Club: Most Dedicated Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane