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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1956
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington

‘Brighten Their Silent World’ float at Auckland Carnival

The Birthday Carnival held annually at Western Springs were a lucrative way of raising money in the early fifties. The Auckland Deaf Society via the Friends of the Deaf were raising funds for a new hall building.
Victoria University of Wellington
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
1985
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Basketball Club, 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Ruth Jessep
Est. 1964
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Annual Picnic: Oliver Trophy – Step Distance

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Keogh Cup, Mixed Doubles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
1980
article – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

Watch out for the whistle

An Auckland-Manawatu netball game with a difference – all the players were deaf. Deaf people from all over New Zealand are participating in the 25th NZ deaf sports convention which began in Hamilton yesterday.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
2010
Object – Taonga source: Mary Johnson

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

Mary Johnson
2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

History through Young Eyes: Interview with Susie Ovens

A Tu Kokiri student interviews Susie Ovens on her involvement with the infamous Deaf Sign Singers group.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Susie Ovens
  • Shona McGhie
Est. 1981
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sir Woolf Fisher Memorial Trophy: Auckland Deaf Sportsman of The Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Ruth Jessep
2007
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Framed Photo: Rae McKie, Winner of Women’s Singles, Deaf Bowls Championship, Wales 2007

Auckland Deaf Society
1988
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1937–1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Badge: Auckland Adult Deaf Society, 1937-1956

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

McHattie Challenge Trophy: Auckland Deaf Society Annual Ball

Auckland Deaf Society
2001
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Netball Club, 2001

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 2000s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society 8 Ball Pool Club: Best Female Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane
1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Tunic: The first uniform of the Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Hunt
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Susie Ovens
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
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
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. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society 8 Ball Pool Club: Most Dedicated Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
1951
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Indoor Basketball, 1951

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1960
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1960

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
1989
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Bronze Medallists from Auckland Deaf Society: New Zealand Deaf Women’s Basketball Team

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Jeff Went
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
Est. 1959
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Graded Fours

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
2005
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2005

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

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Drawn Fours

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
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
1952
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Dream Of Deaf People Is Taking Shape – They Will Build A Hall For Themselves

We want a place where deaf people, young and old, can meet together. This is the dream of the Auckland Deaf Adult Society, described by the secretary, Jack Pollard. It is a dream which today is beginning to take real shape.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Ruth Jessep
Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Club: Mixed Doubles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
1967
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball ‘C’ Team, Winter 1967

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery