Footprints Waipoua & Crossings Hokianga Newsletter
Previous editions of the Newsletter can be found at the bottom of this page.
April / June 2008
The 'Loch Ness' Monster or a Periscope?
Was it the 'Loch' or surely 'Lost Ness' monster in this case or a periscope that visitors on the Crossings Hokianga signature afternoon cruise saw out through the Hokianga Heads? The mystery remains.
How Did This Happen?
Congratulations Shane for being nominated on to the Far North Holdings Board. The mystery remains.
TNZ Mission to North America
Footprints Waipoua and Crossings Hokianga were invited to attend a TNZ mission to North America in May. Tawhiri was amongst great company. Others to attend were Boris from the Auckland Museum, Melissa from Potiki Adventures, Diane from Waka Taiamai Heritage Journeys and mystery representative from the Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands and Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga. What a successful trip it was. On behalf of the group I would like to thank Annie, Sonali, Kylie and everyone at TNZ.
A Poem Sent In by a Visitor from the UK
"Hi guys, I was on one of your Footprints tours a couple of weeks ago. The Footprints tour was an extremely special and spiritual experience, and I felt privileged to be able to share it. Dan and Bill's words were very moving and memorable. Afterwards, I felt inspired to write a poem and I thought I might share it with you". Bright Blessings, Chelsea.
Father of the Forest, I bow to you.
Giant of the land,
Standing, living, growing in this soil
Four thousand years or more, no endeavour of man can match your silent majesty,
No pyramid, no king, no chapel, no history
Has weathered Time's march as enduringly as you.
Rooted in the fertile ground of Earth, your mother,
Great arms supporting Father Sky,
The seasons change and centuries pass,
Ages of man drift by unremarked
Yet still you continue to stand, and live, and grow.
Long may you continue to dwarf us all?
And teach us humility and respect.
BTM FAMIL for Japanese Agents
Many thanks Craig for organising this important opportunity, you did an amazing job.
TRENZ 08
Well what can I say it was another successful TRENZ for Footprints Waipoua and Crossings Hokianga. It's always nice to catch up with old and new friends. I would like to thank Robyn, Nineke and our fellow Northland operators for making our time not only successful but enjoyable, maybe too enjoyable at times, what am I saying it can never be too enjoyable.
Tourism News
That's our guide Joe on page 4 of the June Tourism News issue.
The Inaugural Waipoua Fun Run & Walk Event
The inaugural Waipoua Forest Fun Run & Walk 2008 which was held on SH12 through the forest was a huge success. The opportunity to enjoy the Waipoua forest from a perspective seldom experienced was enjoyed by a whopping 145 participants, AMAZING. We were unbelievably lucky with the weather; this was in stark contrast to a wet miserable day experienced by many apparently in most parts of the Far North. The Waipoua forest was an incredible host. The kauri trees prominent and the plants a vibrant green, the support staff generously encouraging and the hospitality, warm as the day we had. Locals from Te Roroa provided paua soup, fried bread and sausages for participants at the finish line and Classic Hits Radio Station kept us all entertained until the prize giving ceremony. The Japanese delegation of 33 who traveled all this way especially were impressed to say the least with the hospitality shown. The Tour Leader said that many of his participants who are seasoned event campaigners thought that the course in conjunction with the warm weather and hospitality played a key role in making this the best event they had ever experienced. I would like to say a big thank you to Al and James from the principal sponsor the Far North District Council, Steph and Anika from the event organisers Blah Blah Marketing, Iki-san from Reborn Tours in Japan, our tour guide Ai Okada, Alex from Te Roroa, Mei from DoC, Stephen from the Waipoua Forest Trust, May from Highways North, Vanessa and Yuka from Tourism NZ, all the participants, local sponsors and volunteers and everyone else that I may have missed out. Next year is going to be even more AMAZING.
Auckland i-SITE Product Updates
Pip and I would like to thank Chanthara, Andrea and staff at the Sky City and Princes Wharf Auckland iSITES for the opportunity to meet and share with them information about Hokianga.
Matariki Dinner and Tawhiri Singing
The Matariki dinner at the Copthorne Hokianga was absolutely brilliant. Congratulations to the organisers. It was excellent to see our boy Tawhiri mixing it with an icon in the form of Whirimako Black. Well done Tawhiri.
A Business Delegation from Yakushima Island visits the Hokianga
Shane and I have been working to develop a relationship with Yakushima Island in Japan for some time now in fact we have had the fortunes of visiting the island twice in the past 18 months. Yaksuhima Island is famous for their ancient cedar trees and a forest that enjoys World Heritage status. Hokianga had the pleasure of hosting a delegation in June. I would like to acknowledge Jason Hill and his team in Japan for their support and persistence and to the people of Te Kaiwaha Marae, the Te Hua o te Kawariki Trust, the children and staff at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Tonga O Hokianga, Stephen King and the Waipoua Forest Trust, Alex Nathan from Te Roroa, members of the Hokianga Arts Group, Whaea Kuini and family at the Mangungu Mission House, Laurel, Kathleen and Mum at the Horeke Hotel, Bet and Derek from the Matakohe Kauri Museum and Alex and Lyn from Matakohe House. You were all responsible for a positive outcome for both communities. I look forward to an exciting future.
The teams at Footprints Waipoua and Crossings Hokianga.
April/June 2008 (Adobe Acrobat - 76kb)
January / March 2008
January/March 2008 (Adobe Acrobat - 84kb)
November / December 2007
November/December 2007 (Adobe Acrobat - 86kb)
September / October 2007
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July / August 2007
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April / June 2007
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January / March 2007
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