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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2012
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

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

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Stableford

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
2016
video – Taonga source: Seek the World

Mingling with locals at Auckland Deaf Club

Two visitors from America (Seek the World and Motion Savvy) gives a short presentation at Auckland Deaf Society on a tablet app that understands sign language. Calvin Young gives a brief tour of the Deaf Club and chats with its President, John Schischka.
Seek the World
2009
publication – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: June 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • John Schischka
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Richard Hay
  • Terry Kane
  • Michelle Kruger
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
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • John Hunt
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Doug Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
Est. 1972
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society, Mayall Shield: Women’s Indoor Basketball – Married vs Single

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

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 1962

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
1980
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Jeff Went
Est. 1992
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Wellington Deaf Golf Club vs Auckland Deaf Golf Club: Interclub

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Club Captain Trophy

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

Auckland Deaf Society newsletter: July 2009

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • John Schischka
  • Colleen Norris
  • Doug Croskery
  • Terry Kane
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Jonathan Anton
Est. 1975
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Indoor Bowing Club: Aggregate Points

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
1969
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Runs Hard At Drop Of Hanky

Noel Coventry is a 22-year-old deaf athlete and the sole New Zealand representative going to the Deaf Olympics in Yugoslavia. Club officials would drop a handkerchief for him to sight as a sign that the starting gun had been fired.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • Patreena Bryan
1984
article – Taonga source: The Auckland Star

Ref has tough job in a silent world

Peter Downie is a basketball referee of considerable merit, a national badge holder for eight years, Downie recently shifted to Auckland from Christchurch.
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Shirley Bregmen
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
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Pam Croskery
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Richard Hay
1987
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
1962
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deafness helps him to be champ

Stewart Smith, deaf secretary of the Deaf Welfare Centre, has rounded off a successful season by winning the Auckland indoor centre's champion-of-champion singles.
Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
Est. 2005
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

DEAFinitely Youth Group Comedy Competition: Best Female Performer

Auckland Deaf Society
Est. 1973
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Badminton Club: Walbran Cup, Most Improved Player

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Pam Croskery
  • Shona McGhie
  • Doug Croskery
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
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Doug Croskery
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Terry Kane
  • Pam 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
2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Framed Pocket Patch: Northern Zone Deaf 8 Ball Pool Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Tony Walton
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Shona McGhie
  • Michelle Kruger
2006
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Zone Women’s Netball, 2006

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
1975
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Tony Walton
  • Milton Reedy
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
2006
video – Taonga source: Dan Hanks

Mardi Gras celebrations

Auckland Deaf Society, about to close for a total building redevelopment, hosts a final social event: a Mardi Gras at the Deaf Club.
Dan Hanks
NZSL Stories
  • John Schischka
  • Kevin Pivac
1997
publication – Taonga source: National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

NFD Communicate: Spring 1997

National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1979
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Chairman Trophy

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Polo Shirt: Deaf Bowls Auckland

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1987
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Women’s Basketball Club, 1987

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Susie Ovens
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1996
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Albion Press Trophy, NZ Games for the Deaf: Golf Women’s Inter Club

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
  • Tony Walton