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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1996
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Group Photo: Northern Team, 39th N.Z. Deaf Games, Auckland 1996

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1979
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Brian Smither Cup, 1979

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Best Lady Angler of Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Richard Hay
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
1962
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1962

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

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Terry Kane
  • Richard Hay
  • Michelle Kruger
  • John Schischka
  • Shirley Bregmen
2006
video – Taonga source: Dan Hanks

Last Friday night at Auckland Deaf Society before the rebuild

Footage and interviews from the final Friday night at Deaf Club at Auckland Deaf Society before its long-awaited re-development in 2006.
Dan Hanks
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
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
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Mansell
1988
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Top: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
2012
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Group Photo: Auckland Deaf Society 75th Anniversary, 1937-2012

Auckland Deaf Society
1960s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Basketball Singlet: Auckland Deaf Society, 1960s

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

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Terry Kane
  • Michael Lynch
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
1977
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Elephant Mascot: Auckland Deaf Netball Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
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
1992
video – Taonga source: AUT Visual Languages Section

Memories of John Hunt

John Hunt, well-known for his involvement in the Deaf community – talks about establishing the NZ Deaf News, his journey towards becoming a life member of NZ Deaf Sports Association, having had a role in its founding; working as the first Deaf Field Officer for NZAD, and compiling ‘The Story of the Auckland Deaf Society Inc 1937-1987.
AUT Visual Languages Section
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
  • Doug Croskery
2002
video – Taonga source: Kevin and Lynette Pivac

Extended version: Deaf Rugby World Cup final – New Zealand vs Wales

Extended version: New Zealand play Wales in the Deaf Rugby World Championship final at Eden Park, Auckland in 2002.
Kevin and Lynette Pivac
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
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
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Club Captain Trophy

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
Est. 2012
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Aces Poker: Player of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Keethan Sundar
1965
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: October 1965

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Michelle Kruger
  • John Hunt
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shirley Bregmen
2003
video – Taonga source: DEAFinitely Youth Group

The first Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off!

The first ever Wallace Williams Comedy Evening kicks off in 2003, as a fundraiser for Deaf Youth to attend the WFD Congress in Montreal, Canada.
DEAFinitely Youth Group
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
Est. 1993
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Bregmen Memorial Trophy: Eight Balls Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Michelle Kruger
2010
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: May 2010

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Terry Kane
  • Richard Hay
  • John Schischka
  • Michelle Kruger
1956
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

Auckland Carnival 1956

Friends of the Deaf prepare a float for the Auckland Carnival, 1956, along with some footage of the float parade.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Ten Pin Bowling Club: Overall High Series (Scratch)

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
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
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
1983-88
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Badges: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton – Pam Croskery, Penny Went, Doug Croskery

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
1976
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Netball

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: September 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
1967
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
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