New Zealand’s Biggest Cuppa

Massive summer picnic in the park raises funds for Hospice West Auckland

Hospice Fundraiser ‘New Zealand’s Biggest Cuppa’ is an enormous afternoon of free, fun entertainment designed to appeal to the whole family… including all the aunties and cousins.

On Saturday 23 March from 1 – 4pm, Potter’s Park (on the corner of Dominion and Balmoral Roads in Mt. Eden) will be a picnicker’s paradise.

Children will enjoy playing classic old-school games including egg & spoon, three-legged and sack races. For those who prefer to kick it nu-skool, box wars will appeal. Box wars is a supervised opportunity for children to create armour and weaponry out of recycled boxes and battle it out on the grass. Face painting will also be available.

Families and couples can take the opportunity to relax and bask in the sun. There will be a bake sale on-site, as well as plenty of freshly brewed Dilmah Tea. People will be able to lie back on their picnic rugs or in a romantic leafy nook with some freshly baked treats and enjoy the free entertainment.

University of Auckland Songwriter of the Year Jocee Tuck will give her xylophones and vibraphones an airing in the Rotunda, and renowned soul and rock’n’roll record spinner, DJ Tina Turntables, will fill the warm afternoon air with the sweet sounds of golden summers past.

Vintage aficionados will have the opportunity to rummage through the pop-up Hospice shop on site, where they will be able to acquire treasure such as Royal Albert and other heirloom china, retro and designer clothes, collectables and kitchenware.

Radio announcer Ray Mankelow will MC the event, ensuring everyone knows when the many competitions and raffles are running. Tea connoisseurs will love the prizes which include a large Dilmah gift bag and a year’s supply of Dilmah Tea. There will also be plenty of other special prizes to be won on the day.

Be in to win! When guests register online they will go in the draw to win a return trip for two to Queenstown courtesy of Air New Zealand, including two night’s accommodation at Crowne Plaza Queenstown and a complimentary dinner for two at Jervois Steak House. See www.hwa.org.nz and click ‘news’ for more details.

The people of Auckland are invited to bring their picnic rugs and their sunscreen to Potter’s Park on Saturday 23 March to be part of NZ’s Biggest Cuppa. They will be entertained, they may win a prize and they will contribute to the sustainable future of a vital Auckland service – Hospice West Auckland.

In the event of poor weather the event will be held on Saturday 30 March.

ends

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>