Community Activities

Community and Kerikeri Environment projects include:

Rotary supporting literacy in our community by gifting illustrated dictionaries to all year 4 pupils in our local primary schools

Charlotte thanking President John Toms for the
dictionaries on behalf of Kerikeri Primary school.

Pavilion at Kerikeri Retirement Village

2011's community project is to build a pavilion mirroring those installed in the Kerikeri Basin is nearing completion.

The Kerikeri Retirement Village was keen to provide residents with an all weather shelter in their outdoors recreational area. The beautifully built pavilions covering the Rotary BBQ and picnic area in the Stone Store basin were just what they were looking for. So the well practiced team of Rotarians swung back into action and proceeded to provide the Retirement Village with its very own pavilion.

Pictured are a few of the team: (l to r) David Owen and Michael Brott fixing the last of the
shingles to the roof, Betty Petrie and Martin Macpherson leveling the soil in preparation
for the next day's concrete laying.

Numerous boisterous working bees later, the pavilion stands strong, providing
a sheltered area for residents to enjoy.

President John Toms stands proudly with some of his fellow project workers Malcolm Sexton,
Martin Macpherson, Doug Galbraith, Pete Roffey, David Owen and Dale Simkin. (l to r)

On 28th February 2011, the Kerikeri Retirement Village celebrated the completion
of the new pavilion with a festive morning tea for all those who had
contributed to the project.

Betty cutting the ribbon

Path to Hansen Memorial and linking track to Marsden Cross.

Kerikeri Rotary Club members had their first gathering of the year at the Marsden Cross, Purerua, on a balmy Sunday afternoon 18th January 2010. Kerikeri Rotarian Ian Faulkner described the project that we hope to undertake this year, to build an appropriate path from the main access down to the monument, across a stream to the Hansen memorial anchor that our club helped install many years ago. It is presently virtually inaccessible due to the stream and weeds. Collaborating with DOC our club will assist in making it a nice track.

Marsden Cross picnic January 2010 : Ian Faulkner far left and path to the memorial anchor

We also had the privilege of hearing from a descendent of the first settler family who lived out their lives in the area. Judy Horrell read from her article about her great great great grandmother Hannah King Hansen.

Historical perspective: Numerous early Maori settlements were located here and the region played a key role in early colonial history. There are a number of sites of particular cultural and heritage importance on the property, and the land where they lie is held in a charitable trust to ensure their preservation.

Marsden Cross picnic January 2010 : Judy Horrell and the memorial anchor

Maori history: Maori have lived on the Purerua Pensinsula for more than 600 years. Rangihoua and Wairoa Bays were home to Maori settlements for centuries before the first contact with European settlers in the early 1800s.

The prime coastal location made trade with passing whaling ships a key economic activity for local Maori. For more than two decades this area was the principal point of European contact in New Zealand. In 1807 the busy Maori village of Te Puna, today the Village Green at 'Mountain Landing', was described as the 'Capital of the Country'.

Colonial history: The first missionary leader, Samuel Marsden, landed at Oihi, in December 1814. His arrival marked the beginning of European settlement in New Zealand.

Marsden Cross picnic January 2010

The book "Letters from the Bay of Islands" says "Aboard the 110 ton Active under the command of Captain Hansen were 35 people, including the crew and the lay settlers wives, Jane Kendall, Dinah Hall and Hannah King and their children." On Christmas Day 1814 Marsden preached the first Christian sermon at Oihi, and the memorial cross marks the spot today. This was also the site of the first mission station in New Zealand. Some years later the Mission House was moved to Te Puna, where the land was better for cultivation.

Stone Store Basin BBQ project : Flowers picnic area, Kerikeri

This Rotary project was initiated by late Past President Brian Flowers. His challenge was to find a bricks and mortar project that would enhance and serve our community in order to be eligible for an external Rotary funding opportunity. After he underwent exhaustive consultations with the Far North District Council, the Historical Places Trust and DOC it was agreed that the development of gas BBQs in the Town Basin would be a great asset to the community.

Brian Flowers : good behind the rostrum

The sloping lawn behind the public ablutions block was identified as picturesque and convenient. The Kerikeri Rotary Club has contributed many hours of planning, and labour. Many local businesses have also been outstanding in their support and provision of the materials required. The three pavilions now grace the site with the picnic tables and actual barbeque soon to be installed.

Roof Shout: Friday 16th October 2009 : 4.30 pm

BBQ roof shout 16 October 2009 - Project manager Dale Simkin thanks all for their
support and hard work to date

Sponsors included: Keri Trusses and Precuts Ltd: Mt Pokaka Timber Products Ltd; Placemakers - Nock Building Supplies Ltd; H & T Clarke Concrete Ltd; Cowleys Hire Centre; Ashby Construction; Kerikeri Drainage Ltd; Haigh Workman; Les Francis Ltd; Bay of Islands Roofing Ltd; Transfield Services Ltd and other individual tradesmen who freely gave of their services.

Rotarian Graeme Cleaver at the Barbie

Roland's Wood

Our Club is involved in developing the existing park down Inlet Road, in conjunction with the park trustees. The freshly maintained park will be launched during this year's Garden Safari.

Photo: Rolands wood in spring

Roland Sanson was a well-liked Kerikeri personality who died in June 2001 bequeathing the community a real gem of ten acres of young woodland. "Roland's Wood" is now vested in the FNDC, administrated by a Trust he set up. The Kerikeri Rotary Club with help from the local community known as "Friends of Roland" have recently taken on the task of restoring and developing the woodland further.

Quite unique in Northland it comprises a large range of deciduous trees, the oldest probably 25 years old and the youngest about 10. Many of the plantings have reached canopy coverage and a thick mantle of leave is now suppressing the grass. Over time the best specimens will be retained whilst a selective thinning will allow those reaming to maximize their growth and beauty.

Photo: Roland's Wood in the Garden Safari 2009

On visiting England, Roland had been greatly impressed with the woodland parks there and had the vision of creating a similar woodland hue with bluebells and daffodils under the trees.

Roland chose the site well. Plenty of flat land that is now well sheltered, rich volcanic soil sloping down into a swampy gully. With a little imagination excellent possibilities exist for gentle walkways and interesting rock and water features. The property has also come with a few challenges in the form of Tobacco weed, Taiwan Cherry, Gorse, and Kapok weed but we are confident we can turn what is already a most attractive area , into a parkland of outstanding beauty.

Photo: Picnicing in Roland's Wood

It is a magnificent gift to the community and what was important to Roland, a place where they can walk their dogs.

The Rotary Club is grateful for help received or promised from a number of local businesses and the FNDC. If anyone would like to become a "Friend of Roland" and help us develop this wonderful asset further, please contact Rotarian John Graham (ph: 09 407 9510).

Wonderment at the accomplishments of club members John Graham, John Horrell and numerous other helpers in developing Roland's Wood from a neglected, overgrown condition into its present park-like state, was felt by all those who gathered for a picnic there on Friday evening 11th February 2011. The balmy February warmth perfect for dinner near the trees that are starting to form a blanketing canopy in many areas.

After dinner the all important 'Potato in a Bucket' growing competition was judged by our incoming President Sherryl Neale ably backed up by Brian Smart.

Plan to develop the "Hansen Memorial" walking track to Marsden Cross

Details to come

E-Day

Participated in E-Day, 12th Sept 2009, by manning local e-waste collection.

Age Concern

Participated in sponsoring the Age Concern raised beds behind Kingston House.

Pink Ribbon Day Breast Cancer Awareness

Participated in donation collection for Pink Ribbon Day Breast Cancer Awareness, Friday 9th October 2009.

Cancer Awareness

Organised the Cancer Awareness evening held at the Centre, Kerikeri, on Thursday 30th July 2009 and donated proceeds of $3000 to Dominion Lodge, Auckland. Grateful thanks to Natural Timber Creations (Kauri Coffee Table) and Palmco (kids quad bike) for their very generous raffle prizes.