HomeCollectionDeaf Picnics

Everyone loves a good picnic, especially if you’re Deaf and the picnic is organised by your local Deaf Club! Over the years Deaf Club picnics have become a traditional event reaching back to the 1950s. They are a chance for the community to get together in the fresh outdoors, get too much sun, and see if the married or single teams win the tug-o-war! And yes, if you win the sprint you still get a little brown envelope and a line in Deaf history forever.

  • Deaf Clubs
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1976
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Understand the Silence: A Silent Documentary about the Silent World of Deafness

This documentary was filmed and edited by Joan Bailey and released in 1976. It covers the preparation and running of the St Dominics Gala Day, as well as Manawatu Deaf Club picnics, and the Manawatu Womens Group.
Manawatu Deaf Society
Est. 1964
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Annual Picnic: Oliver Trophy – Step Distance

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society

75th Jubilee Memorial Shield: Tug-of-War between New Zealand Deaf Societies

Wellington Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1966-67
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1966-67 (Vol. 4, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1976
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

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

NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Richard Hay
  • John Hunt
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1955
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sports Convention picnic at Motukarara, 1955

During the 1955 Sports Convention hosted in Christchurch, a picnic is held at Motukarara, by Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
1984
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: June 1984 (Vol. 21, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
1985
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1985 (Vol. 22, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Hunt
  • Jonathan Anton
1973
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1973 (Vol. 10, No. 1)

NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • John Hunt
1960s
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Picnic at Orewa Beach

Deaf people get together at John and Verna McRae’s place before heading to Orewa, Auckland for the Annual ADS Picnic.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: February 2010

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Richard Hay
1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Deaf Societies Sports Convention, Wellington 1958

Deaf Aucklanders make their way down to Wellington in a van for the Labour Weekend sports. Stopping on the way, they prepare for a day of sports and socialising.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Schischka
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Richard Hay
1977
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

Canterbury Annual Deaf Picnic 1977

Members of the Canterbury Deaf community make for a picnic on a lovely day, with tug-o-war and running races.
Dennis Tod
Est. 1964
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society McHattie Trophy: Tug-Of-War, Married vs Single

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
1965
video – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre

St Dominic’s gives a Catholic education to Deaf boys and girls

Several clips of teaching and classroom scenes at St Dominic’s School for the Deaf, with one-on-one speech therapy, oral communication methods, a physical education class, the Rotarians Picnic Drive, playing with jet aeroplanes, folk dancing and their annual Christmas party.
St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
1970
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: 1970 (Vol. 7, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain

During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 1964
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Annual Picnic: Handicap Race – Allen Trophy

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
1965
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1965 (Vol. 2, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Day Trip to Orewa!

During one of the first New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention in Auckland 1952, a group of Deaf take a day trip to Orewa.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Adult Deaf Picnic: Trip to Motuihe Domain

Deaf adults enjoying ice cream, beer, and bathing suits, all while watching HMNZ Tamaki navy recruits training on Motuihe Island.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Richard Hay
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
1966
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1966 (Vol. 3, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Picnic at Waihora Park Domain

Participants in the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Deaf Societies have a full-day picnic at Waihora Park Domain, in Motukarara with plenty of races!
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
1969
video – Taonga source: Janice and Gary Howard

Annual Auckland Picnic at Orewa, 1969

Members of the Auckland Deaf Society and friends attend the annual picnic at Orewa Beach in March 1969.
Janice and Gary Howard
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • Pam Croskery
1964
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1964 (Vol. 1, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • John Hunt
1968
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1968 (Vol. 5, No. 2)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Kevin Pivac
1980
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: May 1980 (Vol. 17, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
1979
video – Taonga source: Dennis Tod

Christchurch Deaf Club picnic at Diamond Harbour 1979

The Christchurch Deaf Club members have a picnic at Diamond Harbour, with traditional sports and activities.
Dennis Tod
1967
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Autumn 1967 (Vol. 4, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt