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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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
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
2003
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Netball Club, Northern A, 2003

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Colleen Norris
  • Tony Walton
1980
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club: Waitemata Basketball Assn – Winter ‘B’ Grade Championship, 1980

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1961
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Brian Tewsley Memorial Trophy – Aggregate Points

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Colleen Norris
1951
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Indoor Basketball, 1951

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1981
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Golf Club: Best Putted Trophy

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
Est. 2001
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Auckland Deaf Society Fishing Club: Best Lady Angler of Year

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Richard Hay
  • Jonathan Anton
  • John Schischka
  • Cecilia Waitohi
  • Doug Croskery
1964
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Table Tennis Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1964

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
2017
article – Taonga source: Stuff

Sisters set up deaf cooking class to help deaf people with mental health issues

Two Auckland sisters are helping deaf people living in isolation connect with others through a cooking class. Yolanda Sutton began the cooking class with her deaf sister Natasha Jumelet after they formed the Deaf Wellbeing Society.
Stuff
1973
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society, Winners of Bob Scott Memorial Shield (Badminton), 1973

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Jonathan Anton
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Pam Croskery
  • Tony Walton
  • Doug Croskery
Est. 1986
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

N.Z. Deaf Amateur Sports Association, Katu Cup: Outstanding Coach of the Tournament – Basketball

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
  • Kevin Pivac
2004
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Netball Club, 2004

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
1970
video – Taonga source: Pam and Doug Croskery

Deaf social rugby match: Married vs Single men

An informal annual rugby game between teams of Deaf men, married and single, which was played on one of Kelston Deaf Education Centre’s fields.
Pam and Doug Croskery
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
1981
video – Taonga source: Manawatu Deaf Society

World Deaf Games, Köln 1981

New Zealand team goes to XIV World Games for the Deaf in Köln, Germany in 1981.
Manawatu Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Tony Walton
  • Shona McGhie
  • Susie Ovens
1975
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

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

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Milton Reedy
  • John Mansell
  • Shona McGhie
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Tony Walton
  • Terry Kane
Est. 2003
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Les Fry Memorial Trophy: 8 Ball Pool League Championship

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Michelle Kruger
  • Shirley Bregmen
  • Terry Kane
1976
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: March 1976 (Vol. 13, No. 4)

NZSL Stories
  • Doug Croskery
  • Colleen Norris
  • Pam Croskery
  • John Mansell
  • Richard Hay
  • John Hunt
1990
video – Taonga source: Natasha Jumelet

An insight into Miss Auckland Deaf preparations

Contestants practice their routine at the Auckland Deaf Society clubroom in preparation for the Miss Auckland Deaf competition.
Natasha Jumelet
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
  • Kevin Pivac
  • John Schischka
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
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
2023
article – Taonga source: Stuff

What it’s like doing the Oxfam Trailwalker when you’re Deaf

The first time Monica Leach took part in the Oxfam Trailerwalker was with a group of hearing friends. Leach, who is Deaf and uses NZSL, found it difficult to communicate with the team. But last weekend, her team Deaf Power Walk completed it in Taranaki as an all-Deaf team.
Stuff
2000
video – Taonga source: Shona McGhie

ADS Basketball Club 50th Jubilee

The Auckland Deaf Society Basketball Club celebrate their ‘Golden’ Anniversary, their 50th anniversary, at the ADS Balmoral clubrooms where people share their memories of being involved in the basketball club.
Shona McGhie
NZSL Stories
  • John Mansell
  • Doug Croskery
2002
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Plaque: Auckland Deaf Society, 2002

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

Deaf Welfare Centre: Doris Jones Memorial Rose Bowl

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Colleen Norris
  • John Mansell
2002
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Northern Sports Team, Mixed Touch Team, 2002

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Shona McGhie
  • Tony Walton
1966
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society

Team Photo: Auckland Deaf Society Athletics Representatives, October 1966

Auckland Deaf Society
NZSL Stories
  • Kevin Pivac
  • Terry Kane
  • Milton Reedy
  • Doug Croskery
  • John Mansell
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
publication – Taonga source: New Zealand Deaf News

NZ Deaf News: Summer 1986 (Vol. 22, No. 3)

NZSL Stories
  • Terry Kane
  • John Hunt
1990
video – Taonga source: Jeff Went

The Miss Deaf New Zealand competition, 1990

Coverage of the Miss Deaf New Zealand competition, hosted during the 34th New Zealand Games for the Deaf social evening at Auckland Deaf Society, October 1990.
Jeff Went