Waihinga Centre

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Park and Playground project to start

It will be full speed ahead now that Council has given permission to start work on the Park and Playground project.  The majority of the funding is in place but we still need your help to raise another $10,000 to complete the water play area. Keep an eye out for our upcoming fundraising events and you can donate directly to our give-a-little page: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/waihingacentre. 

The approved project has a target completion date of November to allow the landscaping and grass areas to bed in before summer. The upgraded playground will include a range of equipment and natural opportunities for imaginative play, suitable for all ages and abilities. The plans include new planting, paths, seating and tables, a water play area, a new tower (pictured) and new and improved green areas.

This is the culmination of a lot of work by the Waihinga Charitable Trust, the fundraising team, individuals and Council officers, made possible by generous donations of time, money, materials and play equipment. 

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Playground Fundraising gets a Boost

There is a lot happening behind the scenes in the fundraising team. A big “Woohoo” moment this past week has been a grant from Trust House. We really are celebrating every dollar we raise at the moment but this was a BIG boost! But still plenty to go. Obviously the winter months don’t usually mean water play is top priority, although what child doesn’t love puddle jumping! And hey a blue sky day wrapped up can mean a day at the beach great fun….we were there a couple of weeks ago. but in general we are trying to keep the kids warm and dry. So Bath crayons provide a bit of water fun at home. Grab yours for $20 and the kids get to be creative in the bath. They are 100% natural and $10 from every pot is going to park funds. Just email nzlottie@hotmail.com to order a pot.

Then we have a bingo night in the mix for July, a bit of fun for a winter’s night. Hosted at the Bowling club they are always a fun night out. Keep a look out on the Friends of the Waihinga Facebook page and notice boards around the village for updates on that and we are very excited to be hosting the Community Fireworks later in the year….always a great family night.

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Supporter Profile – Charlotte Harding

It wasn’t until she had her son Finn, now 3, that Charlotte Harding realised how important parks and playgrounds were for parents. She also recognised that they provide a great opportunity for people to meet, while they watch their children playing.   

So when she saw the Waihinga Centre Trust was fundraising to revamp the area outside the new Centre she put up her hand to help.  This definitely understates Charlotte’s contribution.  She’s putting her considerable skills, energy and  imagination into ramping up the fundraising effort.  Watch this space for some more of the exciting activities she has in mind.

Martinborough is Charlotte and her husband’s adopted home, although Clayton had connections here already; Marie Pickering’s his great aunt and his mother was the first baby born in the new maternity hospital.  In what is becoming something of a Martinborough theme, he and Charlotte came for a holiday, fell in love with a house and eventually moved down from Auckland to live here 4 years ago.

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