NEW ZEALAND FOUNDERS PAST EVENTS
National Events
NZ Founders AGM 2025
April 2, 2025
National Annual General Meeting held at the Devon Hotel, New Plymouth, 22 March 2025
A brief report on the meeting.
NZ Founders AGM 2025
April 2, 2025
National Annual General Meeting held at the Devon Hotel, New Plymouth, 22 March 2025
A brief report on the meeting.
NZ Founders AGM 2024
June 15, 2024
The NZ Founders Society held its AGM on 15 June 2024 at the East Pier Hotel in Napier. The meeting agreed to adopt the new constitution when it re-registers under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 on 1 January 2025.
NZ Founders AGM 2022
July 6, 2022
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.
NZ Founders AGM 2021
September 25, 2021
NZ Founders finally hosted the 2021 AGM under Level 2 conditions in Tauranga on 25th September after it had been postponed from August when the country was in Level 4.
NZ Founders AGM 2020
August 15, 2020
The 81st AGM of the NZ Founders Society was held on 15th August 2020 at the Copthorne, Solway Park, Masterton. Covid-19 had postponed the AGM that was normally held in June each year. This time around, the AGM went ahead but the Auckland delegate was unable to attend due to the second round of Level 3 lockdowns, but joined in listen-only mode via teleconferencing. Bay of Plenty branch attending via video conferencing link and were able to fully participate in the voting and discussions.
Auckland Branch
Peter Burridge presenting the subject "Fingerprints" and the journey as a Police Officer.
September 30, 2025
Most of my service (both in this country and in Central Africa) has been related to my involvement with serious and often violent criminal investigations. Fingerprint work and associated scene & exhibit examinations, together with presenting “expert” evidence before the Courts, play a crucial part in such matters.
Auckland Branch funds study into the merits of Auckland's heritage Special Character Areas
October 20, 2024
Josh Howie, an Auckland University Masters student, was funded by the Auckland Branch of NZ Founders.
A link to the Auckland City Council report which includes his report (2024, page 22) is here.
Auckland and Waikato Branches share Christmas 2023 function
May 24, 2024
Waikato and Auckland Branch Members joined together for our Christmas functions. After Lunch at the CBD Café in Pokeno we visited the Queens Redoubt in Pokeno and the Mercer museum.
Branch meeting October 2022
October 1, 2022
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.
Branch Visit to Highwic
October 1, 2022
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
Auckland Branch AGM , March 2022
April 12, 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.
Waikato Branch
Waikato Founders to Thames
September 21, 2025
The first stop being the Thames Museum. After an hour and a bit of travel a warm cup of team and biscuits greeted the team with a bunch of enthusiastic volunteers to show us around.
After-lunch walk gave a good perspective of how Thames was – The retail building hadn’t changed since 1900
50 Years Celebration
August 24, 2025
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the Waikato Founders Society met in the local Guide Hall. The setting was an old Ministry of works wooden building set in a park with bush like settings. One could imagine one was back in the late 19th Century, bush and wooden building with grass lawn, and the area community had met to have a social occasion of celebration in this case a High Tea.
Waikato Founders meeting
July 17, 2025
Christine Barbour spoke to us on DNA and how we can use it to trace our Family.
Marie Ryan was presented her certificate and spoke of her Ancestors arrivals in New Zealand.
Anzac Commemoration
April 25, 2025
Kaye Forster-Hill laid a wreath at the Hamilton Anzac Service on behalf of NZ Founders Waikato Branch
Waikato Founders February meeting
March 13, 2025
Neville Ritchie, who received a recent Book Grant Award, speaking to Waikato Founders on his book "Waterways of New Zealand from 1840".
Visit to Matangi Dairy Factory
July 3, 2024
Waikato Branch visited the old Matangi Dairy Factory where Harry Mowbray gave a very interesting presentation on the history of the factory and the present day use by the Mowbray Family Trust.
Taranaki Branch
Branch meeting - August 2024
10 members met on 9 August at the Genealogy rooms to hear from Peter Rankin, the story of his early life in New Plymouth and his great great grandfather, William Batten.
William, a widower with 7 children, arrived in New Plymouth on the to become a well-known farmer in the Kent Road (now Junction Road) area. His 2 sons were active in the Militia during the Taranaki Wars.
Branch meeting - May 2024
31 May 2024,
9 members attended a presentation by Graeme Sykes at St. Andrews Church in Inglewood. The current Church opened in 1923 and was closed in 2019 with earthquake risk. The Church is an historical site and is known as a Peace Memorial commemorating the 137 soldiers who perished in the 1st World War. Parishioners currently worship in the Church Hall.
Commemorative meeting - March 2024
May 5, 2024
We hosted our annual commemorative service at the NZ Founders plaque on the coastal walkway after enjoying a lunch meeting at Cobb & Co.
Our speaker was Major Terry Heese from the Salvation Army. Terry spoke of his Cornish ancestry and his families journey with the Salvation Army. His wife Glenys is also a Major in the Salvation Army.
Branch Christmas lunch 2023
November 28, 2023
Adrienne Tatham proudly showed her Kiwibank Local Hero medallion, which she received as one of 100 recipients under the Volunteer of NZ awards. This is a valued recognition of Adrienne's work with our iconic Pukekura Park and her involvement as Patron and Friends of the Park volunteer group.
We will resume activities again in 2024 and wish all a safe and happy festive season
Branch September meeting
November 28, 2023
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.
Visit to the New Plymouth Genealogy Society
July 30, 2023
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.
Visit to Fun Ho Museum
June 12, 2023
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.
March activities
May 22, 2023
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.
Meeting January 2023
Jan 27, 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.
Christmas lunch - November 2022
November 27, 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.
Visit to Tikorangi
October 2, 2022
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.
AGM 2022
May 7, 2022
Tony Parr spoke on the occasion of the 181st anniversary of the first settlers on the William Bryan on 30 March 1841.
Wanganui Branch
Early history of the Whanganui River mouth
July 2025
There were 21 attendees (including four visitors) at our July meeting when author/historian Laraine Sole spoke about the early history of the Whanganui River mouth and harbour, including accounts of pre-European history. With work in progress to restore the port it was good to look back at what our early settlers would have seen as they entered the river. Laraine has written numerous books, including histories of many Wanganui suburbs and pubs. A very informative and well-presented session, evidenced by the many after-talk questions.
Sarjeant Art Gallery
June 2025
We had an interesting meeting where Jennifer Taylor from the Sarjeant Art Gallery talked about the ups
and downs of relocating the Sarjeant collection to temporary premises during earthquake strengthening
which was galvanized by chunks of concrete falling from the ceiling. It took several years to catalogue and safely pack everything but along the way they relocated several items that hadn’t been catalogued from the early years, and could log the condition of each item for future use. And then there was the equally long process when they moved everything back into their newly refurbished and extended new building.
Fossils found on Kai Iwi Beach
May 2025
Bruce Taylor from the Kai Iwi Beach Motor Camp, and president of the Whanganui Rock and Mineral Club talked with enthusiasm and knowledge about his collection of fossils found on Kai Iwi Beach and other places along this coast.
He brought with him samples of whale, penguin, sharks' teeth and many bits of moa bones that have turned into rock over many millennia. He also showed us two megalodon teeth which he purchased from America, but were known to have been present in this area.
He sends some of his findings to Te Papa for verification and at present they are removing for him an almost complete seal skeleton from its encasing rock.
His knowledge of the best places to hunt and how to recognize a fossil will encourage some of our members to head for the beach on the next sunny day when the tide is right I’m sure.
John Handley who arrived in NZ in 1842
April 2025
Quentin Handley spoke about his family, beginning with the arrival of his great-great-grandfather John Handley who arrived in New Zealand in 1842 with his wife Martha and three children. He was a builder and member of the town council and bought property at Rapanui in 1853, but died an early death after falling from his horse when returning home one evening. Quentin spoke of his family's genealogy and the history of the farm which has remained in the Handley family since its early days.
Home of the Peace Through Unity Trust
March 2025
A good number of us spent a pleasant afternoon at Te Rangi, currently the home of the Peace Through Unity Trust.
The Trust was begun by Anthony and Gita Brooke in 1987 after devoting their lives to assisting a culture of peace in many countries around the world in association with the United Nations. The House at 4 Allison St built somewhere around 1915, is a haven of peace surrounded by trees with a view out over the city and river, and with several quiet lawns and verandahs. It is built in the Transition style between villa and bungalow and is mostly unchanged inside with elegant rooms and furnishings. It was well worth the visit
A tribute for long-serving member
February 2025
A tribute for long-serving member and finance officer Hugh Ramage was read out by Lynley.
Lynley presented an historical review of Founders Wanganui, including editorials written by late historian Hugh Ross and spoke of the strong relationship we have always had both with the Public and Heritage Libraries.
Branch Bus Trip
November 27, 2020
For the final meeting of 2020, the Wanganui branch took a sight-seeing tour of many of the historical places in Wanganui aboard a London double decker bus. A great day out and barely skimmed the surface of what there was to see
Meeting at Bushy Park
March 20, 2020
Some of the members of the Wanganui Branch enjoying the elegant silver service and bone china afternoon tea in the dining room at Bushy Park Homestead.
Some more of our group in the breakfast room..
Hawkes Bay Branch
Erica Tenquist
June 25, 2025
Erica Tenquist, Book Launch for 'Legless with Cuthbert'
Chocolate Box Lunch
August, 2025
On the coldest Sunday of the year, over 50 members met at the Taradale RSA for lunch. The room was beau�fully laid out with a small box on each table filled with chocolates. A�er a warming meal, the “Chocolate Box” part of the day began, with Branch Co-ordinator Faye Sherriff introducing seven member speakers
Erica Tenquist
June 25, 2025
Erica Tenquist, Book Launch for 'Legless with Cuthbert'
Winter Lunch
June 24, 2025
A stunning view, great food and friendship attracted a full house of Hawkes Bay members to learn about the Ahuriri history and to hear Kiwi Husbandry Manager Bev Wilkinson talk about Save the Kiwi.
Afternoon Tea
May 11, 2025
A wonderful turn-out of Hawkes Bay branch members to hear an outstanding Speech and PowerPoint about an adventure on the ice at Antarctica, by a well-prepared group of New Zealanders
Bus Trip
April 13, 2025
On a beautiful Autumn day in April, Founders members were picked up from the four designated bus stops and proceeded to Riverslea, the property of Robert Flanders, on the Napier Road near Mangateretere.
Lunch
March 13, 2025
Held at the National Service Club Hastings, on Sunday, March 9th.
After a generous and scrumptious meal served to 51 members, Faye Sherriff, welcomed everyone and thanked the amazing catering team.
Pam Slay asked for anyone who lost relatives on the emigrant ship Cospatrick, which burned and sank in 1874 with the loss of 433 emigrants, to contact her for a research project. This was New Zealand’s little-known but worst maritime disaster.
Lunch
February 14, 2025
This year, Valentine’s Day was made very special for a group of Hawke’s Bay members.
Faye Sheriff our new “Commander” had organized a lovely lunch in Taradale.
Many arrived in Art Deco costumes and this made it very festive.
Lunch
January 19, 2025
On a sunny but pleasantly mild day, 51 guests gathered at the Taradale Bridge Club Rooms, located in the picturesque Park Island Recreation Grounds, Napier. This was the first event held under the New Constitution of the New Zealand Founders Society Inc. and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
Feilding Coach House Museum trip
December 1, 2024
Sunday 24th November, members boarded the coach for the 3 hour trip from Havelock North to Feilding Coach House Museum, "A hidden gem of history waiting to be explored". Due to being a very long day, there were only 36 members on this trip.
Smedley Station and Waipawa
October 6, 2024
On Sunday 6th October, 55 members boarded the coach for the very scenic drive out into the Kahuranaki and Elsthorpe areas east of Havelock North to Waipawa. Our lunch venue was the Historic Waipawa Municipal Theatre.
Branch Meeting
August 28, 2024
Branch President Paddy Bayley warmly welcomed the 60 people attending the August lunch meeting at the Taradale RSA.
When she presented two new members with their Membership Certificates, Paddy noted that one of her ancestors also came on the same ship as Diane Frater's. This ship was the "Slains Castle" to Wellington in January1841
Winter lunch - Talk "I WOULD NOT STEP BACK…"
June, 2024
A large banner, featuring a photograph of a wartime hero, with a British fighter plane on fire in the background, with the words:
168 Condemned Allied Airmen
A Nazi firing squad
Three days to execution
Mystery Trip
May 16, 2024
Leaving Havelock North, we travelled along Middle Road, one of the first local roads of any length connecting Havelock North with Central Hawke's Bay. It runs close to the route of an ancient Maori foot track from East Clive to the south. In her commentary, President Paddy informed members about the following Historic areas on Middle Road:
