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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Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Basketball Club: Anton Cup – Most Improved Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1993
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Richard Hay
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Terry Kane
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shirley Bregmen
Est. 1949
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Adult Deaf Society All Round Sports Cup: 100 Yrds Run, Putting The Short, Hop Step and Jump

Auckland Deaf Society
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Mansell
1970
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Badge: Auckland Deaf Society, Auckland, N.Z.

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

History through Young Eyes: Interview with Ngaire Doherty

Saynab Muse, a Tu Kokiri student interviews Ngaire Doherty, ex-President of Auckland Deaf Society at the Balmoral clubroom.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Richard Hay
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Plaque: New Zealand Deaf Rugby – In Appreciation, Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
2006
video – Taonga source: Dan Hanks

President gives tour of old Auckland Deaf Society building

Auckland Deaf Society President Kevin Pivac gives a tour of the Club’s building prior to its demolition and rebuild.
Dan Hanks
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
Est. 1986
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Sports Indoor Bowls Club: Ladies Singles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Richard Hay
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2010

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • John Mansell
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • John Schischka
  • Terry Kane
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Ringers – Chamberlain Park

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1981
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, Grade B, 1981

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics Representatives, October 1966

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Kevin Pivac
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
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
Est. 1968
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Rugby Shield: Married v Single

Auckland Deaf Society
Mid 1980s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. (ADS)

Auckland Deaf Society
1975
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Basketball Club, 1975

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1987
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Netball Club, Netball Competition and Labour Weekend 1987

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
Est. 1999
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Peter Murray Cup: Deaf Women’s Basketball Open Championship

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

Auckland Deaf Society Basketball: Gary Howard Cup – Best Women Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1978
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Hanley Shield: Auckland Deaf Dramatic Competition

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
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
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1990
video – Taonga source: Jeff Went

The Miss Deaf New Zealand competition, 1990

Coverage of the Miss Deaf New Zealand competition, hosted during the 34th New Zealand Games for the Deaf social evening at Auckland Deaf Society, October 1990.
Jeff Went
Est. 1960
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Men’s Singles Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1991
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling, October 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
  • Kevin Pivac