With only 6 weeks to go until Te Mata Park’s fundraising deadline, momentum is building with One Giant Week of events planned for the end of November.
‘This is one giant chance for our Hawke’s Bay community to rally the troops and get in behind our campaign to buy new land for the Park,’’ comments Mike Devonshire, Chairman of Te Mata Park Trust.
Beginning with an educational Walk & Talk around the Park, and finishing with a Peak Enduro event, it’s promised that there will be something for everyone during One Giant Week.
‘’Thanks to support from local community groups and sports clubs, we have an impressive line up of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.’’
One Giant Chance is a community fundraising campaign, recently launched by Te Mata Park Trust, to purchase 8.5 hectares of neighbouring land, located near Tauroa Car Park.
With the clock ticking towards the fundraising deadline, everyone is encouraged to get actively involved,’’ comments Mr. Devonshire. ‘’We will only get one crack at buying this neighbouring land, so please, gather your friends and family, and help our Sleeping Giant to achieve this goal.’’
‘’The feedback and support from local sports clubs has been outstanding. Ramblers, Bennelong Mountain Bike Club, HB Orienteering and the local Hang gliding & Paragliding Club have all put their best foot forward and are stepping up to the challenge of fundraising for this unique opportunity,’’ adds Mr. Devonshire. ‘’ They are excited about the prospect of exploring new land.’’
Some of the events will even traverse the proposed land. Promising a ‘’sneak peek’’ of the new terrain, the Orienteering event and Peak Enduro will both access this neighbouring land. ‘’We are very grateful to the current owner of the land, for permitting access for these unique fundraiser events.’’
With nearly 1 million Park visitors annually, the benefits for the land purchase are strikingly clear. ‘’Not only will this land allow us to further extend the bird corridor and native tree plantings, but it also ensures a significant widening of one of the main entrance points in to the Park, allowing a more expansive and safer area for park users,’’ explains Mr. Devonshire.
The new land has outstanding natural features such as steep cliffs, a beautiful wetlands area and even a cave for the adventurous. ‘’There are also areas of flatter contours, which will be ideal for easier, family friendly trails,’’ adds Mr. Devonshire.
Te Mata Park Trust aim to raise $1.5 million through community fundraising and local Charitable Trusts. This will allow for the purchase of the land, as well as the track development and planting of native trees. ‘’ The land is under contract, and funds must be raised by the end of 2018.’’
With several large donors secured, and community events scheduled for their One Giant Week, the Park Trust are confident that they will reach their goal. ‘’We are working with some large scale contributors and will officially announce some significant contributions within the next few weeks.’’
‘’I can’t emphasise enough about how important and beneficial this land acquisition would be for our community in Hawke’s Bay,’’ comments Mr. Devonshire. ‘’If you enjoy walking, riding or running in our wonderful Park, we do encourage you to get involved, and make a difference.’’
One Giant Week – Get Involved!
23 November – Sustainable Backyards Walk & Talk in Te Mata Park (koha welcome) Click HERE for info and registrations
24 November – Find us at the Havelock North Village Carnival!
25 November – Orienteering Fundraising event in Te Mata Park, in conjunction with HB Orienteering Club. Click HERE for info.
24 / 25 November – Hawke’s Bay Hang Gliding and Paragliding Regional Competition (Spectators welcome. Backup date 1 / 2 December)
26 Nov – 30 Nov – Bucket collections outside various locations in Hastings and Havelock North
29 November – Find us at the Hastings Night Market!
29 November – ‘Race to the Top’ fundraiser event in conjunction with Ramblers (all types of bikes welcome). Click HERE for info and entries.
2 December – Peak Enduro fundraising event – for runners and mountain bikers – in conjunction with Bennelong MTB Club. Click HERE for info and online registrations.
