News

Well the weather certainly wasn’t kind to us on the day (‘bucketing down’ in actual fact!), but even so a terrific number of people turned out to the many events which had been organised – visitors, bach owners and locals all defied the elements, donned their wellies and macs, and kept smiling.  The general comment was: “If we can make AWHI Tour the success it was in such poor weather, then this event is DEFINITELY a success!”  The general feedback was when will this happen again? One day is not enough to go see all the places!! And the community collaboration seemed to be the most enjoyable part for many of us.

Here are a few other comments from those attending:

“We managed to get to Awhitu School by 9am and participated in the opening and welcome, plus view the activities at the Matakawau Hall, the Fire Station, lunch at the Tasman Lodge, visit the Lighthouse, Awhitu Central Church, School to view the vintage cars and motorcycles, then down to Awhitu Wines at Grahams Beach for the wine tasting, then a dash up to the Vedic Yogini Temple at Pollok. With the rain getting worse we decided to call it a day stopping by at the Kentish Hotel to have a look at its collection of historical photographs in the bar and to sink a Guiness – thirsty work this driving and walking!!”

“It was really awesome engaging with the community like this. I found this to be really an important thing to socialise like this and just let them know what we are about.”

“We had 100’s of people through. At one stage it was shoulder to shoulder in the Temple.”

and from someone who really experienced a WOW moment during the day…

“… I’d like to share with you, whilst the skies were bucketing down I made a point to attend the LIVE MUSIC which we relocated to the Awhitu Social Club…… I especially wanted to hear 19yr wheelchair-bound Ebon play guitar. I had no idea what to expect. I did know he hadn’t been playing long and that Joy is his tutor. So he would play a couple of tunes and the main act alternated playing. He played Spanish style with much feeling. I was VERY impressed. His audience of 10 (lots left early after getting saturated at their Temple visit) gave him much encouragement. Then this character clothed in a well- worn flannellete check shirt , trackpants and red bands  walks in. Ebon then plays a different style of song, someone coaxed this woman to the mic and there we had Ebon, Lynley (vocal backing) Dion ( guitar backing) Ryan ( Ardijah member on kettle drum) and JOY singing !!!!!  It was a WOW moment. Has Joy ever got an awesome raunchy voice. It was one of those moments where you know you’ve witnessed something VERY special.” 

If you didn’t allow the weather to deter your AWHI ToUr experience we THANKYOU for coming, THANKYOU for contributing to a most memorable event and THANKYOU for your great spirit. Feedback from the many hosts reflected the happiness of everyone participating.