Kokako Concert a huge success!
Dame Malvina Major and several Waikato rising stars put on a song-filled evening for Kokako enthusiasts at our concert on March 5, raising over $7,000 to help return the native songbird to Mt Pirongia
The fundraising event hosted at the beautiful Vilagrad Winery, included musical performances, dinner and a charity auction, with all proceeds going towards the translocation of the Kokako to Mt Pirongia.
Clare St Pierre, Society Chairperson, was delighted with the success of the event and the generosity of the community.
"We were blown away by the way people are coming together to support our cause. This evening has been a fantastic start to fund what has been at the heart of our group from the start - to bring the kokako call back to our maunga.”
The evening opened with a karakia blessing given by Dr Te Taka Keegan representing Purekireki Marae and the MC for the evening was Mark Bunting.
Performers
Our thanks to Society patron Dame Malvina Major for her generous coordination of tonight’s live performances by her students.
Chelsea Dolman, soprano
Cecily Shaw, mezzo-soprano
Rachel Twyman, violinist
Francis Cowan, accompanist Francis is a highly experienced teacher and pianist and currently lectures at the University of Waikato.
Auction Items
We greatly appreciate the many people and local businesses who donated auction items, everything from a weekend at a ski lodge to a bottle of wine signed by the Prime Minister.
Special thanks to all those who donated: Vilagrads, Chalky Digits, Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki – King Country, Benneydale Bike Bach, Benneydale’s Wooden Heart Cafe, Pirongia Clydesdales, David and Alison Sellars, Antoinette Wilson and the Mortimer family, Goodnature Traps, Waikato Ski Club, artists Judith Winton, Ann Gray, Joanne Bowe and Dave Phillips, First Step Outdoors, Selwyn June, Megan Balks, Jon Wenham and Society members.
What’s next?
This is just the first phase of our fundraising. Our next step is to approach corporates and local businesses to help us reach our goal. If you have connections to any ones you consider suitable, please get in touch with us.
