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Hawke's Bay branch coach trip - November 2023

"Expect the unexpected" should be the motto on our coach trips for our Hawke's Bay Branch. Our Christmas Trip "Maraekakaho Experience" certainly was no exception! A miserable showery day greeted members as they waited at their respective "pickup" locations for their coach. Havelock North members became a little stressed when the coach did not arrive on time. Tranzit driver Peter Morrell had been directed to Taradale first. He wondered why no-one was there waiting! We found that he was give...

Hawke's Bay Branch coach trip October 2023

Despite a cold and wet day, our members extended a very warm welcome to our New Zealand Founders National President Raymond Mudford, his wife Annette, National Secretary Carolyn Adams, and National Treasurer Kathy Dent.Havelock North Club, our lunch venue, located in the heart of the Village, was established in 1949. It has amazing views of Te Mata Peak and the surrounding region.Prior to lunch, President Raymond spoke to our members on the various options being considered by New Zealand Founde...

Taranaki Branch September meeting

Friday 29th September, a wet and wild windy day in New Plymouth, saw 11 members meet at the iconic Tea House Kiosk at Pukekura Park.Adrienne Tatham shared with us the consultation currently happening on proposed major changes to this Botanical park in the centre of town. She encouraged us all to follow the proceedings and have our opinions on the proposed changes.To see more of the park click on https://www.npdc.govt.nz/leisure-and-culture/pukekura-park/Kathy Dent, our National Treasurer, then g...

Hawke's Bay Branch Winter Lunch 2023

Branch President Paddy Bayley warmly welcomed the 81 people attending the August lunch meeting at the Napier RSA. Paddy said it was heartbreaking to hear that some members were still experiencing a difficult time 6 months on from the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle in February. She assured them that they were constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Four new members received their Registration Certificates. Following lunch two guest speakers were welcomed.The first speaker was 11 year old Dean W...

Auckland Branch - Newsletter and recent activities

The Auckland Branch met recently to present a National Service Award to John Webster. The newsletter contains photos and details of recent meetings.There is also a biography of the Nattrass family, ancestors of John Burns....

Taranaki Branch visit to the New Plymouth Genealogy Society

On Friday 28th July 2023, a small group of Taranaki Branch members were hosted by the New Plymouth Genealogy Society.Members were shown the historical and current/ongoing records that are held by the society and the information that is available for reading and research.Their website is http://www.genealogynp.com...

Hawke's Bay Branch winter lunch 2023

The historic Cheval Room at the Hastings Racecourse was, once again, the venue for members of the Hawke's Bay branch to meet for their annual winter lunch. 72 attended including National Secretary Carolyn Adams.Branch President Paddy Bayley informed members present, that, along with her husband Richard, they had represented Hawke's Bay Founders Branch at a recent Memorial Service for Joan McKinnon, a foundation member of our Branch when it was formed in 1979. A moments silence by members showe...

Hawke's Bay Branch 2023 Essay Competition Winners Announced

Hawke's Bay President Mrs Paddy Bayley recently announced the winning entries in the essay competition this Branch of the society has run at Hereworth School, Havelock North.This is the fourth time Hereworth students have participated in this competition since 2017. The students in years 7 and 8 were invited to write an essay entitled 'My Family – A new life in New Zealand'. Participants were encouraged to research family records and discuss the new life in New Zealand with parents and relati...

Taranaki Branch visit to Fun Ho Museum

On Friday 9th June, 11 branch members enjoyed lunch and a visit to the Fun Ho Museum.Fun Ho toys were a great favourite for many, and there is an amazing collection and repair service available at the museum.The Fun Ho! National Toy Museum displays all models that were produced between 1935-1982, the toy making period of Underwood Engineering Co. There is a slot car track, sand pit, theatrette and machinery and other interactive displays. Handmade toys from raw aluminium ingot to finished model ...

Waikato Branch welcome new members

New members of the Waikato Branch of NZ Founders recently received their membership certificates.Bruce Jarrett, Christine BarbourRae Hooper, Jenny Simpson, Sheryl Morgan Sandford...

Taranaki Branch March activities

The Taranaki branch of NZ Founders held two events during March 2023.Following our Commemorative lunch and reflection time at the Founders plaque on the walkway, discussion took place on how we could enhance the plaque to make it more visible to the public. The committee think this is a good idea and will make enquiries with the Council and local iwi, Ngamotu, to consider options.Members meeting where Keith Wills shared his family connections in Tikorangi and Westown....

Hawke's Bay Branch mystery trip - May 2023

On a very cool but sunny autumn morning, 48 members boarded the Coach for their annual Mystery trip, this year it was planned by Faye Sherriff and Philip Smith. Due to the damage to roads and bridges from Cyclone Gabrielle, unfortunately we could not access one part of the original planned trip.From Taradale, an area rich in wine heritage dating back as far as the 1850s, as we travelled out towards the Esk Valley, the devastation caused by Gabrielle became more evident. Volunteers were busy at t...

Founders lay wreath - ANZAC Day 2023

Megan Hill and her Grandmother Kaye, laid a wreath on behalf of the New Zealand Founders, at the Hamilton Cenotaph on Anzac Day....

Waikato and Auckland Branch visit to Firth Tower

Waikato Branch invited Auckland members to join them at Firth Tower Museum, Tower Road, Matamata on Sunday 26 March 2023. The event was well attended by Waikato Branch and two members from Auckland. A Devonshire Tea and lunch was served on the balcony of the 120-year old McCaw Homestead situated in the grounds of the Museum with some members dressing up in period costumes. Those attending had a chance to make butter in the old homestead kitchen. The weather was fine and warm making it possible t...

Hawke's Bay Branch - lunch to farewell long-serving committee members.

Picture a cafe looking out to a beach and sparkling sea, on a perfect autumn day.This was the setting for the Hawke's Bay Branch Committee members recent lunch. Cafe Hygge (pronounced Hoo-ga) at Clifton Beach.At our recent AGM we accepted the resignation of two long standing members, Andy Duncan and Kath La Rooy.In deciding to have a special "thank you lunch" the committee extended the invitation to the two new committee members, Lois Ward and Kevin Clark.It was a most enjoyable lunch, with e...

Hawke's Bay AGM 19th March 2023

Hawke's Bay Branch Committee certainly had a difficult decision to make following the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle on 13th February – with all the devastation in the Region, do they continue with the planned AGM on 19th March?It was decided "yes" we would go ahead as planned, but change the format slightly to allow members an informal discussion time to support each other and share their traumatic experiences.As expected the number attending was slightly lower than usual. In her welcome to t...

Hawke's Bay New Year Lunch

Hawke's Bay Branch Committee certainly found a very unique venue for our first function for 2023 our Annual New Year Lunch. Members attending were delighted to find they were dining in the "Night Club area" of the Thirsty Whale Restaurant & Bar in the Ahuriri Port of Napier. A special welcome was on the extra large screen – see attached photo.Branch President Paddy Bayley welcomed 79 attendees, which included visitors from Australia and Whangarei. During the afternoon, Paddy made a specia...

Waikato Branch Museum Outing

On Sunday 22 January, Waikato Branch enjoyed a very educational tour of Cambridge and Morrinsville Museums.Founders members examined Te Waka Maungaturoto at the Morrinsvile Museum....

Taranaki Branch meeting 27 January 2023

18 members met on 27th January 2023 at the Jury home for a presentation on Bernard Aris a local Taranaki painter. Many examples of his paintings were on display with viewing available after a power point presentation which was very informative about the artist and also local historical points of interest in his subject matter. A very interactive afternoon with members also bringing their own paintings to share stories....

New Plymouth History

Taken from the internet site https://teara.govt.nz/en/taranaki-places/page-3New Plymouth Taranaki's only city, on the west coast of the North Island 365 km south of Auckland and 352 km north of Wellington, with a 2013 urban-area population of 51,303. New Plymouth was the region's first Pakeha settlement and has always been the largest. The city is the administrative centre of the New Plymouth District Council....

Hawke's Bay Branch visit to Gwavas - November 2022

At the request of our hosts at Gwavas Homestead and Gardens we brought our Christmas Coach trip forward one week. Unfortunately due to clashing with various other activities, numbers were slightly down on previous years. However, the 52 that did attend thoroughly enjoyed the end of year function. Three new members received their certificates from President Paddy Bayley.We were delighted to welcome two guest from England. Kath La Rooy's son Michael and daughter in law Julie La Rooy from Eas...

Taranaki Branch Christmas lunch - November 2022

We met at The Devon Hotel for a Christmas lunch and had Jay Ruka, Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral as our guest speaker. St. Mary's is undergoing major changes with a relocation on the site of the vicarage, a new building TUIA TE MUKA TANGATA - WEAVING PEOPLE TOGETHER and earthquake strengthening of the Cathedral. A $20million plus project.New Zealand's oldest stone church, built in 1846, will be strengthened and the stories embedded in the historic site will be shared using exhibitions, tours, even...

Taranaki Branch Christmas lunch - November 2022

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Hawke's Bay Branch coach trip October 2022

Once again a full coach load of Hawke's Bay Founders members headed south to Central Hawke's Bay. After enduring the wettest winter in recent years, it was good to have a gloriously sunny, mild day that showed the countryside at its best. Although there was plenty of standing water, particularly in the Te Aute area, everything looked very green with spring growth to add variety.Our first stop was in Waipawa at the Central Hawke's Bay Municipal Theatre. This building was first opened in 1910 wher...

Taranaki visit to Tikorangi

On September 30 2022, the Taranaki Branch of NZ Founders visited Tikorangi for the history of the area and viewing the local cemetery. Guest speaker, Peter Wilson shared the history of the area from his recently published book "Effort and Enterprise" which members can be seen looking at in the photo....