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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1975
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1975

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
1990
article – Taonga source: Western Leader

Julie-Anne’s a Winner

Julie-Anne is the new Miss Deaf New Zealand. Coming second-runner up in the Miss Auckland Deaf competition, saw her go through to Miss New Zealand.
1990
video – Taonga source: Victoria University of Wellington

Miss Auckland Deaf Beauty Queen Contest

Amateur footage of the Miss Auckland Deaf Beauty Queen Contest held at the Auckland Deaf Centre 1990.
Victoria University of Wellington
1990
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1990

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Most Improved Player

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1981
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1993
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington vs Auckland Deaf Golf: Best Gross 36+

Auckland Deaf Society
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pocket Patch: Māori / Pacific Deaf Rugby Invitational XV

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Golf Club vs Auckland Deaf Golf Club: Interclub

Auckland Deaf Society
1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Athletics Pennant: 24th N.Z Deaf Sports Convention, Host Christchurch 1979

Auckland Deaf Society
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
1992
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representative Team, 1992

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1974
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Barkla Cup, Women’s Doubles

Auckland Deaf Society
1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Sash: Miss New Zealand Deaf 1990 – Winner

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1985
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Club: T.G. Kane Cup – Women’s Double

Auckland Deaf Society
1964
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Folk Conquer their Handicap

On a recent Saturday, I was lucky enough to meet members of the Auckland Deaf Society at a working bee they were holding to improve the grounds of the city's Deaf Welfare Centre. The centre, incidentially, is a very fine building – it has the biggest sports hall in Auckland with a floor area 110 by 60 feet.
Auckland Deaf Society
1978
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Team, 1978

Auckland Deaf Society
2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Uniform: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2003

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 2000
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Fishing Club: Crap Fishing of the Year

Auckland Deaf Society
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: August 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1962
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre: Doris Jones Memorial Rose Bowl

Auckland Deaf Society
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, Hamilton 1980

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

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1966

Auckland Deaf Society
2008
video – Taonga source: Brent Macpherson

My Second Home: Auckland Deaf Society

A 43-minute documentary taking you through the history of Auckland Deaf Society, the second home of the Deaf community of Auckland.
Brent Macpherson
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
1957
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Souvenir Cigarette Bowl: International Silent Games, brought back from New Zealand’s first deaf athlete

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Club Captain Trophy

Auckland Deaf Society
2000
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball, Winners of ‘The Brian Smithers Cup’ 2000

Auckland Deaf Society