News & Events

At a recent meeting of Founders, Hawkes Bay Branch, Mrs Nanette Roberts was presented with an Honorary Life Membership of the New Zealand Founders Society in recognition of her outstanding services to the local branch and nationally.

A ceremony to unveil a plaque commentating the arrival of the first 6 ships to Taranaki was held on 6th August 2015.

An attentive and appreciative audience of some 80 members of the Hawke’s Bay Founders recently heard how the Hawkes Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society developed the A&P Show from its earliest beginnings to the present day.

A memorial stone and bronze plaque in the Masterton Pioneer Cemetery was originally unveiled in November 1974, a donation from the Wairarapa Branch of the NZ Founders Society, by Lena Iorns, a direct descendent of Joseph Masters. The memorial was damaged in 2011 as part of the Council's rejuvenation plan for the QEII Park. A reinstatement ceremony was held on 17 April 2015.

The NZ Founders 2015 Annual General Meeting took place on Monday 22 June 2015 at the Te Rapa Racecourse, Hamilton. A good contingent of Waikato members attended along with delegates from the branches. A main focus for the year ahead will be trying to track down existing members and re-establish the Canterbury branch of Founders. Any current members of the Canterbury branch should contact the National Office.