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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1970
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1970

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
2000
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

Memories of John McRae

John McRae is filmed at his home in Napier where he lived with his wife Verna. John explains some highlights from his life story including his experiences at school, travelling the world for Deaf sports, and his involvement in the Deaf community. The video includes his commentary of various photos and objects in their house.
Hilda Tamepo
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Patreena Bryan
  • Doug Croskery
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
  • Jeff Went
  • Tony Walton
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Susie Ovens
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1991
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: December 1991

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Terry Kane
  • Ruth Jessep
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowing Club: Aggregate Points

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1982
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, Teams ‘A’ and ‘B’, 1982

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Colleen Norris
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
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
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Social and Sports Executive Committee, 1980-81

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
2003
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones

ADS Badminton Club celebrates its 40th birthday!

The ADS Badminton Club, well known for recognising its milestones, has a well-attended dinner at Auckland Deaf Society to celebrate its 40th birthday!
Dorothy Jones
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Susie Ovens
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Janet Watt
1981
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Athletics Pennant: 29th N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, Palmerston North

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
Mid 1980s
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Inc. (ADS)

Auckland Deaf Society
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: November 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Ruth Jessep
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Schischka
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Terry Kane
Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Anton Cup, Men’s Singles – Round Robin

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Pam Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Doug Croskery
1987
article – Taonga source: Lesley Schischka

Skipper sails on silent seas – Deafness no bar to contest racing

One local mariner, 66 year old, Laurence Schischka and his family, enjoy and succeed in sailing in total silence. Schischka, his wife Sylvia and their sons are oblivious to the creaking of the spars, the whir of winches, the thundering of wind billowing sails, even the sloshing of waves against the hull.
Lesley Schischka
1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Sports Convention, 1973

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Kevin Pivac
1989
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: April 1989

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Terry Kane
1993
video – Taonga source: Hilda Tamepo

John & Laura Hunt’s farewell party

A farewell party is thrown for John and Laura Hunt at the Auckland Deaf Society, prior to their move to Melbourne. The farewell was attended by over 100 members of the Auckland Deaf community.
Hilda Tamepo
1986
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club, Easter 1985-1986

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1990
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Pennant: Auckland Deaf Basketball Club 40th Anniversary, 1950-1990

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
1976
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Patch: Auckland Deaf Society Netball

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1992
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
Est. 1964
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society McHattie Trophy: Tug-Of-War, Married vs Single

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Doug Croskery
  • Pam Croskery
1968
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Group Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Christchurch Deaf Convention Tour Party, 1968

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • 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
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • John Mansell
1987
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Book: The Story of the AUCKLAND DEAF SOCIETY Inc 1937–1987, Compiled by John M. Hunt

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
  • John Hunt
1972
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Ladies’ ADS Indoor Basketball Team, 1972

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1974
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowls Club: Triples

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Monaca Cup, Women’s Singles

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
1975
video – Taonga source: Television New Zealand Archive

The Auckland Deaf Centre

A glimpse into the Auckland Deaf Centre, showing Deaf people playing pool, badminton, reading, having coffee and talking in sign language.
Television New Zealand Archive
NZSL Stories
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Terry Kane
  • Jonathan Anton
Est. 1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Most Attendance

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery