On Anzac Eve 2024 we came together
For Anzac Eve, the Great Hall of the Soldiers' Memorial Church was filled to capacity and glowed red and gold. A night of remembrance. The music from the newly-installed sound system, the soaring 1905 pipe organ played by Helen Lukman-Fox, taonga puōro of Horomona Horo, bagpipes David Harvey, guitar and piano Ed Waaka, The Off Broadway Big Band with Michelle Thorne vocalist, and 400 voices in the pews!
Kaumātua Tautoko Witika gave an inspiring welcome, and Lieutenant Colonel Jones delivered a memorable address, asking us all to continue to say the names of those who have died in war. The theme was continued by Brian How, President of the 28th Māori Battalion Association Auckland, who shared what the 28th Māori Battalion still means to the people of Europe.
Whaea Dolly Urlich, 100, together with Kaumātua Ron Baker unveiled the plaque of remembrance for the 28th Māori Battalion. The Ode was recited by Sir Bom Gillies KNZM, 100, the last member of the 28th Māori Battalion, together with Graham Judge, Chair of the Trust.
We will Remember Them.
After 1.5 years of restoration work, the night also marked the re-opening of Kāhui St David's centre for music and community. The Great Hall and North Chapel are available for bookings - events, gatherings, funerals and weddings.
We thank the Waitematā Local Board and Uptown business association for their financial support of The Art of Remembrance 2024.
We thank those who are ordering the Sara Hughes Colour Quartet artworks www.KahuiStDavids.nz.
And for the individuals and trusts supporting the restoration work, and the businesses providing pro-bono support. Look up the businesses below, and please support them.
The photos below capture the evening, and the news features we are grateful for.
Celebrate Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa - New Zealand Music Month with us this May! Save the dates 25th and 26th for two musical events at Kāhui St David's.
A Legacy Project And Gift For The Future
Anzac at Kāhui St David's will be remembered as a time when we all came together to honour and remember the collective story of our past, and experience how this building will touch the lives of so many more in the years to come. We are all a part of the Kāhui St David's community now.
Anzac eve inspired several people to reach out and ask how they can be more involved, and support this legacy project into the future.
There are many ways to be involved...
A donation
As a charitable trust any donations received will receive a tax rebate. On receiving your donation we will provide you with a donation receipt. As a one-off, or a regular contribution, your support is welcome.
To make a donation, you can make a deposit into the Trust’s bank account 38-9016-0530912-00. You can choose to donate yearly, monthly or make a one-off donation via Paypal: paypal to Friend's of St David's Trust. The Trust is registered with the New Zealand Charities Commission, registration CC51428.
Leave a gift in your will
Every decision on the building's restoration, and on the new purpose within it, is made with the long-term in mind. A bequest is a generous way for you to make a lasting contribution for the benefit of future generations. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your plans before you commit them to a will to ensure we can meet your wishes. For further information click here.
Purchase an Artwork of Remembrance - Colour Quartet, Sara Hughes
"Let's all get behind this amazing project, which is inspiring for community and remembrance" - Sara Hughes, artist
Proceeds from sales of Sara's artwork go towards the restoration of Kāhui St David's. To view & purchase, click here.
As a business
Whatever you do, please reach out. With a project of this magnitude, we are always looking for additional support from businesses who would like to make a contribution of their time or expertise.
As a volunteer
Would you like to be involved in an active capacity? Gardening, polishing plaques, upholstering furniture. As well as your ideas, introductions, skills and stories. To register your interest please fill in our Volunteer Form.
Become a Friend of Kāhui St David's
We will keep you up-to-date with our newsletters & invitations. If you are receiving this newsletter this means you've already subscribed to our newsletters, but did you know we are on facebook, instagram, linkedin and have a youtube channel? Links to each are in the footer of this email.
Make a booking
After 1.5 years of restoration work, Kāhui St David's has reopened as a centre for music & community. The Great Hall & North Chapel are available for bookings - gatherings, funerals and weddings, via our booking & enquiry Form. Venue bookings will contribute to the operational sustainability of our centre.
For all enquiries simple send us an email to - contact@kahuistdavids.nz
EVENT PHOTO ALBUM
NEWS MEDIA COVERAGE
NEWSHUB
NewsHub, shared this story 'Twenty-eighth Māori Battalion honoured with a special event in Auckland ahead of Anzac Day. "What we need to do is keep talking about it. Things get lost but it's part of our history, part of our whakapapa." - Kaumātua Ron Baker (Major John Baker's son)
TeKarere
TeKarere, TVNZ, shared this in-depth story in Te Red Māori and in English and captures some of the highlights, including the unveiling of the 28th Māori Battalion plaque, Sir Bom Gillies KNZM reciting The Ode and the music of Horomona Horo and Ed Waaka.
TeKarere also published this article prior to the event.
SARAH HUGHES ARTWORK - NEW VIDEO AND UPDATE
Big thanks to Jeff Smith for creating this stunning video that captures the inspiration behind the Sara Hughes Colour Quartet artworks.
"Let's all get behind this amazing project, which is inspiring for
community and remembrance"
Sara Hughes
CLICK HERE to order your artwork of remembrance.
If you have already purchased an artwork - thank you!
Orders made before March are being delivered now. Current orders will be delivered in July. If you selected 'delivery', you will receive an email confirmation when the artwork is on its way. If you selected 'collect', we will confirm the collection days with you directly, very soon.
We thank Sara Hughes for the glorious artworks, and Gow Langsford Gallery for their support.
Patrons Honour Board
The Patrons' Honours Boards for the years 2014 - 2023 are now up, in gold leaf on oak. Names we celebrate! It is thanks to these generous individuals, businesses, trusts and other entities that St David's Memorial Church, and Kāhui St David's, exist and are serving the New Zealand public.
With thanks to Veryan Faye for designing, and overseeing the creation, of these objects of beauty. The proportions for the Vestibule, detailing, oak grain, colour and finish are superb. Thank you Veryan!
Priority Restoration Items
There are three key items that will enable Kāhui St David's to be fully functional. If you, or someone you know can help out with the purchase of any of these, that would be wonderful.
The Kāhui St David's Tartan
Developed by artist Sara Hughes, Source Mondial and the Trust, this durable, woollen Axminster-weave carpet is inspired by the building’s Scottish heritage, and its inspiring musical future. The greens of Aotearoa and Scotland, magenta for celebration, gold for the warmth of the sun and brass of remembrance. This carpet will replace stained, worn-out carpets and transform the experience of the ground-floor lobby, stairs, North Chapel and shared spaces, to support the Trust's pathway to financial self-sustainability.
Investment: $97,000
Note: The Kāhui St David's carpet is also available to order for your home or office. Your order will support the Trust's purchase of the carpet for Kāhui St David's. The above image is a sample piece.
Kitchen-bar for the Vestibule
Image: Bar-kitchen design by Veryan Faye
A key part of Kāhui St David’s will be hospitality. The only alcohol-free venue of its type, we will serve the most delicious, remarkable, alcohol-free wine, beer, kombucha, and other beverages to make your experience of this place marvellous! Revenue from this bar-with-a-difference will help sustain the costs of running Kāhui St David’s.
Big thanks to Veryan Faye for their design work.
Investment needed: $25,000 ($5,000 dishwasher, $2,000 zip, $5,000 glasses, cabinetry, installation, plus a second-hand fridge)
Tower stairs for Gallery access
Image: Great Hall with the Gallery mirrored in the grand piano
On Anzac Eve it became clear that we need the Gallery open, so everyone has a seat! And that means restoration of the Tower stairs for access. This restoration would also enable access to the only toilet at the level of the Vestibule (main lobby), which would be helpful for everyone.
Investment needed: $75,000
If you are in a position to help with any of these items, in full or in part, please email us contact@kahuistdavids.nz Thank you!
Celebrate New Zealand Music Month WITH US THIS MAY
Ka Mua Ka Muri te iho auaha is a whakataukī/māori proverb that loosely means to walk backwards into the future. This is referencing knowing where you’re from to know where you’re going.
Ka Mua Ka Muri" is a music program that was established in 2022 to showcase emerging Auckland musical talent through online platforms. During NZ Music Month, for the very first time, you will be able to experience it live. Join us on Saturday, May 25th, for "Ka Mua Ka Muri Live" at Kāhui St David's, featuring emerging artists from across Tāmaki Makaurau.
This year's artists include SUSO 2023 alumni and winners En Passant and Juga, alongside local jazz singer Crystal Chen, hip-hop emcee Brandn Shiraz from the Young Gifted and Broke/Risera artist collectives, and multi-award-winning R&B singer Sam V.
A free event brought to you by Auckland Council with support from Auckland City of Music, Auckland Live, and Kāhui St David's as part of NZ Music Month.
We're looking forward to hosting these talented young musicians, and welcoming back Charles Lia (aka En Passant) who performed at our Gold & Green event last December.
MusicBox presents an opportunity to experience being inside a musical instrument... the Great Hall of Kāhui St David's. Hear the stunning 1905 Croft pipe organ played by the brilliant and charming Helen Lukman-Fox. Diverse pieces, that Helen will perform with friends to transport you on a Sunday afternoon.
Mark your calendar, and please share with your friends. Suitable for all ages. Proceeds will support the restoration of the organ which currently relies on frequent running repairs! Tickets at the door.
THANK YOU
We thank you for your interest, and your support in all ways. Including for reading all the way to this point! Your presence at Kāhui St David's events is also a gift. Whether as audience, musician, volunteer or other roles - your presence makes Kāhui St David's a special place for all.
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey with the Trust.