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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

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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...

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....

Auckland Branch meeting

The Auckland Branch was invited to join the North Shore Historical Society to listen to Lisa Truttman's talk about the original old Auckland Gaol and Courthouse that was situated on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets. John Webster gave a short introductory presentation which included information about the upcoming Auckland Heritage Festival starting on the 1st October–16th October. For further information about the Festival visit heritagefestival.co.nz and copies of the booklet with all...

Auckland Branch Visit

Several members of the Auckland Branch visited Highwic to enjoy baking from an authentic coal range. Highwic volunteers baked Ginger Gems, Boiled Fruit Loaf, a vegan Lemon Drizzle Cake, Chocolate Chip Oaty Biscuits, all recipes from old Highwic recipes. Highwic has a wonderful collection of vintage irons ranging from light-weight to extremely heavy versions. It was a lovely afternoon spent exchanging memories of the past. A big thank you to the Highwic volunteers for a wonderful visit. For more ...

Wairarapa Branch recent activities

August was Family History Month and our branch put up displays in both Carterton and Greytown event centres. The local Historical Society had a large display as well and we will look at doing that again next year. We need to choose a theme such as the early settlers or the maori or whalers and take a leaf from the Historical Society book by having a speaker on the subject we choose open to the public.Sunday, 11th September was Daffodil Day in Carterton. The branch had a stall there to promot...

Hawke's Bay branch trip September 2022

A "week day trip" wow, this was something very new for Hawke's Bay members! As usual, our members know to "expect the unexpected". This trip certainly did not disappoint. A hail shower at lunch time, then "escorted" on our drive home by a Pilot Vehicle, with "Wide Load" sign.Leaving Taradale, we travelled to the historic country village of Onga Onga to visit the famous 140 year old "Coles Building". The restoration of this New Zealand Heritage Category 1 listed building built in 1878 is mana...

Hawke's Bay branch members meeting - August 2022

On Sunday 21st August sixty-six Members attended our Branch annual "Members Meeting" held at the Taradale Anglican Church hall. Branch President, Paddy Bayley presented two new members with their membership certificates and badges.The format for these meetings is well established from previous years. Branch Vice President, Kath La Rooy introduced the four members who spoke for approximately 10 minutes on their family history. It was not surprising to hear fruit orchards featured often in famil...

Hawke's Bay Branch winter lunch

Once again, the historic Cheval Room at the Hastings Racecourse was an ideal venue for members of the Hawke's Bay branch of the New Zealand Founders Society to meet for their annual winter lunch. 74 attended including National Secretary, Carolyn Adams.Three new members received their Membership certificates from National Secretary, Carolyn Adams.Branch President Paddy Bayley showed members the trophy presented by New Zealand Founders Society for the Branch with the most new members during the p...

Adrian Gover 1936-2022

It is with much sadness that we mark the passing of Reverend Canon Adrian Donald Gover.Adrian Gover served as National President from 2013 to 2017, Waikato Branch President from 2012 to 2020 and received the Waikato Branch Service Award in 2018.During his time as National President, he began the modernisation process of the Society with introducing tele-conferencing to a new structure for conducting Executive meetings.His ancestors, Joseph & Rachel Duncan arrived on the "Fifeshire" to Nelson in ...

Wanganui Branch hosts the 2022 AGM of NZ Founders Society

On the weekend of 18 June 2022, the Wanganui Branch of NZ Founders Society hosted the Annual General Meeting at the Grand Hotel.The Grand Hotel is a beautiful old building in central Wanganui, the luncheon for 42 members was superb as were the dinners on Friday and Saturday evening for those staying over at the hotel.Prior to the commencement of the day, a number of members had an exclusive presentation and viewing of the stained glass windows in the Council Chambers across the road from The Gr...

Waikato Branch meeting May 2022

The Waikato Branch met at Gail's of Tamahere in May 2022. New member, Glenda Rodger receives her certificate from branch president, Carolyn Adams. Glenda's mother and grandmother were Founders members....

Taranaki Branch visit to Tawhiti Museum

The Taranaki Branch met at Tawhiti Museum in Normanby, Hawera on 27 May for a behind the scenes look at how Nigel Ogle, the owner, creates his diorama's, fauna and figures for the displays at this world renowned museum. He tells the stories of times past and local history making them a visual display that all ages can relate to....

Hawke's Bay Branch Mystery Trip - May 2022

On a beautiful sunny autumn morning, the 56 members enthusiastically boarded the Coach for their annual Mystery trip, organized by Secretary Richard Bayley.Travelling past two of the most famous vineyards in Hawke's Bay, Mission Estate Winery and Church Road Winery, in her commentary President Paddy Bayley informed members the Mission Estate Winery has the distinction of being the birthplace of New Zealand wine. New Zealand's first recorded commercial sale of wine was in 1870. Taradale, is an...

Hawke's Bay Branch AGM 2022

The Hawke's Bay Branch of New Zealand Founders, postponed from March due to Omicron, was held on 24th April. The only Covid Regulation we had to abide by was wearing of masks. Members were delighted to welcome guest speaker NZ Founders National President Alan De La Mare. This was his third visit to our Branch.Prior to the official business, Branch President Paddy Bayley, asked the forty four members to take a short time of reflection, due to ANZAC remembrance the next day. Members then recit...

Taranaki Branch AGM 2022

Tony Parr spoke on the occasion of the 181st anniversary of the first settlers on the William Bryan on 30 March 1841. A copy of Tony's speech is attached to this article....

Waikato Branch lay wreath on Anzac Day

NZ Founders' Society families' war dead and serving were appropriately commemorated in Hamilton. Our Waikato Branch's wreath was laid at thecenotaph by committee member Kaye Forster-Hill. The weather was cool but remained fine. A feature at the end of the service was a fly-past by an AirForce Orion aircraft....

Auckland Branch AGM held 29th March 2022

On Tuesday 29th March 2022, a small group of Auckland members met at Mojo's for the branch AGM.National President, Alan de la Mare and National Secretary, Carolyn Adams also attended.Following the meeting they gathered at the Founders Story Board on the waterfront.Photos:Lunch at Mojo'sFounders Story Board - Alan de la Mare (National President), John Webster (Auckland Branch Chairperson), Su Peace (Auckland Branch Treasurer) with Carolyn Adams (National Secretary) behind the camera....

Wairarapa Branch AGM held March 2022

The Wairarapa Branch held its AGM on the 22nd March 2022.A good number of Members attended, and a lively, interactive meeting ensued.Alan De La Mare was re-elected as President and the majority of the previous committee was re-elected also. We welcomed Geoff Doring onto the committee, with his wealth of experience in governance deliverance.A new member, Bob Campbell was admitted to the Society and he later presented a fascinating outline of his family history and his personal working life and li...

Waikato Branch February meeting

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