Adult Deaf Picnic: Trip to Motuihe Domain

1956
  • Deaf Clubs
Deaf adults enjoying ice cream, beer, and bathing suits, all while watching HMNZ Tamaki navy recruits training on Motuihe Island.
HomeVideosAdult Deaf Picnic: Trip to Motuihe Domain

Ice cream, beer and dressing up in bathing suits, whilst observing HMNZ Tamaki navy recruits practise on Motuihe Island. A group of Deaf adults make a day trip to Motihue Island (Te Motu-a-Ihenga) in the Hauraki Gulf, 17 kilometres from downtown Auckland. Motihue Island was a considered a great destination for day trippers, with sandy beaches. During 1941 – 1963, with the outbreak of World War II and the urgent need to train more navy personnel, the island was utilized as a navy training base named HMNZS Tamaki. More than 6000 recruits passed through during the 22 years it operated, including many who served in the World War II. In this video, you can see the recuits practicing on the beach.

NZSL story – Taonga source: John Mansell

Dressed to Represent at the NZ Deaf Sports Convention

John recalls how athletes travelling to Deaf Sports Conventions, such as the one in Christchurch in 1968, were required to dress formally, including wearing ties. Both athletes and supporters wore rosettes to show their club. These were removed during games but worn again afterward. On the final evening, swapping rosettes was a tradition. John still has a few at home.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

The Oliver Trophy Challenge: One Step at a Time

The Oliver Trophy – Step Distance is a well-known award at the Auckland Deaf Society annual picnic. Open to men and women aged 40 and over, the goal is to match a set distance as closely as possible. Each year, the distance changes. In 2004, when Pam Croskery won, the target was 43 metres. Everyone had their own strategy to get as close as they could!
NZSL story – Taonga source: Pam Croskery

From Eggs to Gumboots: Classic ADS Picnic Games

Pam recalls her favourite games from the Auckland Deaf Society picnics. One standout was the pea-spitting contest, where someone’s false teeth famously flew out mid-spit! Other popular events included messy raw egg challenges, gumboot throwing, and even bodybuilding competitions. Club picnics were often held at Long Bay.
NZSL story – Taonga source: Richard Hay

From Behind the Camera to Bodybuilding Runner-Up: Richard’s First Deaf Society Picnic!

Richard reminisces about his first Auckland Deaf Society picnic at Long Bay in 1990. At just 18 years old, he was full of excitement – and luckily, he had borrowed his mum’s video camera to capture the day, including the infamous tug-of-war! Encouraging others to take turns filming, he documented the fun while stepping out of his comfort zone. Despite his shyness, he even took part in the bodybuilding show, and to his surprise, placed second!
Taonga source:
Auckland Deaf Society
Produced by:
Elaine Deed
Original format:
3" 8mm
Reference number:
SignDNA – Deaf National Archive New Zealand, ADS22-01-OTH56
Note:
This item has been compressed and/or edited.