
1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Collection of Max Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Laying foundations at Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre
A group of Deaf men busily work on laying the foundations for the new Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, later to become the property of the Auckland Deaf Society.

NZSL Stories

1957
article – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Society Ball
Debutantes who were presented to the Mayor and Mayoress Mr and Mrs Ashby at the first ball organised this week by the Auckland Adult Deaf Society.


1955
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf (1955)
Annual Parent’s Day at Titirangi School for Deaf, where students show their parents around the school and put on a performance – tumbling, boxing, puppetry, ball handing and ballet.

NZSL Stories

Est. 1941
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Swindale Rose Bowl: Wellington Deaf Club Table Tennis Championship


Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
75th Jubilee Memorial Shield: Tug-of-War between New Zealand Deaf Societies

NZSL Stories

1950
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Dominic’s School Impresses Experts On Training Of Deaf
"This is the first time we have ever seen deaf children dance to a gramophone" said Dr. Irene Ewing delightedly when with her husband, Dr. A.Ewing, she visited St Dominic's School for the Deaf at Island Bay, Wellington.


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre building progress
The building of the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, followed by footage of the Balmoral Bowling Club, and the newly opened Auckland Harbour Bridge.

NZSL Stories

1959
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Extended version: Te Pakanga o Whau performs at the opening ceremony of Kelston
The opening of Kelston on a site in Archibald Road featured the infamous ‘Te Pakanga o Whau’ (The Battle of Whau) in 1959 where 86 deaf students acted in an outside play featuring a Māori-Pakeha battle near a big gum tree field.


1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Collection of Doreen Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins


1951
video – Taonga source: Owen Gibbons
Picnic at Duders Beach
Auckland Deaf community hold their annual picnic at Duders Beach, 1951.

NZSL Stories

1956
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Sports Convention: Trip to Motuihe Domain
During the Sports Convention, Deaf people travel to Motuihe Domain, on Motuihe Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, for a picnic.

NZSL Stories

1953
article – Taonga source: NZ Tablet
IS THERE NO HOPE AT ALL? Plight of Deaf Children
St. Dominic's is a mile or so on the Palmerston side of Feilding. Set back across the railway line from the highway is a fine old country mansion framed by trees and lawns. At one side are the former barns and stables, now being used as temporary classrooms. On the other side the builders are busy completing new classrooms for use next year; when these are finished they will begin work on the children's new sleeping quarters adjoining.

1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Picnic at Waihora Park Domain
Participants in the Annual Convention of the New Zealand Deaf Societies have a full-day picnic at Waihora Park Domain, in Motukarara with plenty of races!

NZSL Stories

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.

NZSL Stories

1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
Additions To School For The Deaf: Opened At Fielding By Archbishop McKeefry
A great step forward in what is a unique work of Christian charity and education in New Zealand was taken last Sunday, November 28, with its opening. The additions to the school consist of a splendid new block providing classrooms and dormitories.


1955
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf 75th Jubilee
The 75th Jubilee of Sumner School for the Deaf in Christchurch, including alumni parades and marching girls!


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Deaf Societies Sports Convention, Wellington 1958
Deaf Aucklanders make their way down to Wellington in a van for the Labour Weekend sports. Stopping on the way, they prepare for a day of sports and socialising.

NZSL Stories

1949-1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Rosette: Auckland Adult Deaf Society, worn at Sport Conventions

NZSL Stories

1952
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Day trip to the Parnell Baths
Students at Titirangi School for the Deaf are treated to a day trip to the Parnell Baths.

NZSL Stories

1951
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Travelling to Wellington for NZ Deaf Sports Convention, 1951
A group of Auckland Deaf travel to and from Wellington for the New Zealand Deaf Sports Convention during Labour Weekend, 1951.

NZSL Stories

1954
article – Taonga source: St Dominic’s Catholic Deaf Centre
NEW INSTITUTION AT FEILDING OPENED AND BLESSED
Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A.A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic's School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon.

NZSL Stories



Est. 1937
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Auckland 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.

1952
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Sports Representatives, N.Z. Deaf Societies Convention, 1952

NZSL Stories

1951
Images – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Team Photo: Auckland Adult Deaf Society Indoor Basketball, First Grade, 1951

NZSL Stories

1952
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Annual Picnic at Orewa Beach 1952
Auckland Deaf Adult Society’s annual picnic takes place north of Orewa beach.

NZSL Stories

1960-70s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
Prefect Badge: School for Deaf, Kelston


1951
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Pennant: Wellington Deaf Society Basketball, 1951

NZSL Stories

Est. 1959
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Graded Pairs

NZSL Stories

Est. 1959
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Deaf Welfare Centre Indoor Bowling Club: Graded Fours

NZSL Stories











