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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1987
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
1998
video – Taonga source: Abbie Twiss

Auckland Deaf Society hosts a Derby Race Night!

An action filled evening at ADS with a Deaf modelling show followed by an Auckland Deaf Drag Queen contest and finally a derby race competition!
Abbie Twiss
1976
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball A Team, 1976

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
Est. 1984
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

N.Z. Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Bernie Clews Trophy: Outstanding Men’s Basketball Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1990
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Colleen Norris
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
  • Tony Walton
  • Jeff Went
  • Janet Watt
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
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
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Jonathan Anton
1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Winners of Oxspring Shield (Athletics), 1982

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Terry Kane
Est. 2005
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

DEAFinitely Youth Group Comedy Competition: Best Female Performer

Auckland Deaf Society
1984-85
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Mini Booklet: NZ and USA sign language alphabet, in preparation for the upcoming XV World Deaf Games 1985

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pocket Patch: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Plaque: In Appreciation, Auckland Deaf Society – Inaugural Deaf Rugby World Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • Ruth Jessep
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
1993
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1993

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
Est. 2014
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club: Triples

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
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. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society McRae Cup: The All Round Indoor Sports

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

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. (ADS)

Auckland Deaf Society
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 1962

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1962

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
2001
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Netball Club, 2001

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1953
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Institute To Be Started In Auckland Soon

The Friends of the Deaf has paid £3000 for a three-quarter acre site at 166 Balmoral Road and in the new year it will begin to erect there the first permanent institute for deaf adults in New Zealand.
Auckland Deaf Society
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
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowling Club 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1970s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. Netball Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
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