Manawa Karioi – 30th Anniversary Celebration and Pub Quiz
After a postponement due to Covid, a very successful 30th anniversary celebration and fund-raising pub quiz for Manawa Karioi was held at the Parrotdog Bar in Island Bay on 19 October 2021.
It was a fun evening with the quiz, spot prizes, silent auctions and a raffle. A slide show showing volunteers at work (and rest) and various aspects of Manawa Karioi including the change in vegetation over the decades and the facilities for visitors such as the signage and the picnic table screened continuously throughout the evening. Manawa Karioi Society Chairperson Chris Livesey gave a short talk about the Manawa Karioi Ecological Restoration Project: its genesis through Koro Bruce Stewart and the Sisters of the Home of Compassion, its relationship to the Tapu Te Ranga Trust, what has been achieved over the 30 years since the first tree was planted, the vision for the Project and the critical role of dedicated Komiti members and the many volunteers who give their time to the Project.
Amongst the almost 120 people present were several honoured guests, people whose contribution has been crucial to the success of the Project over the years: Sister Margaret Anne and Sister Sue from the Home of Compassion, Marion Sanson and Chris Horne. Chris Livesey noted that unfortunately Jim and Eve Lynch and Sally Bowman who have all made major contributors had hoped to attend but were unable to do so at the last minute. Similarly, Pare Sannyasi from the Tapu Te Ranga marae whanau but intended to be there but was unable to make it at the last minute. Chris also noted the major contributions of Peter Russell and the late Barbara Mitcalfe to the Project.
The evening raised about $4,043.70, a tidy sum that will cover the operational expenses at Manawa Karioi for a year or two and assist with some special projects. A number of attendees at the celebration also took the opportunity to support the Manawa Karioi Society by signing up to become members.
Our deep thanks go to Parrotdog for their very generous support of the evening, to all the donors of the items for the silent auctions and the raffle prizes, and to the members of the Manawa Karioi Komiti who worked with Parrotdog and organised the evening.
Onwards with the next 30 years!