Who's Mad Gallery

Ngāti Kurī, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi nui tonu.

Hinemoa has lived on Waiheke for 21 years. Her favourite things to do on the island are walking and swimming at the beach, social wāhine waka on Sunday mornings followed by lamb’s fry and de-brief at Found with the team and being inspired by live shows at our local theatre.

Hinemoa is the Chair of the Trust Board for Te Whare Tapere o Waiheke, Artworks Theatre. She trained as a dancer and actress and is a former Chair of the Auckland Theatre Board and the inaugural Chair of the Arts Regioanl Trust Board.

As a specialist psychiatrist who has been involved with the arts all her life, Hinemoa says her practice has taught her that creative expression is crucial for wellbeing.

“We strive to ensure that there are creative places in the theatre complex where the imagination can run wild and our community can express themselves in order to continue to develop and evolve our authentic Waiheke identity.

“Highlights during my time with Artworks have been the incredible skill of our theatre company perfoming a locally developed production of “Petty Crime”, our local “Lousie Emma Academy of Dance” students’ extraordinary talent, the mindblowing energy of local band Radio Rebelde showcasing their international flair on our island and the indomitable combo of Ekko Park and The Jordan Luck Band. Plus I am very proud of our Te Reo Māori mother and babies group that use our foyer for their weekly classes.

“I love interacting with our operational team and fellow Board members. Their enthusiasm is infectious, as well as their ‘go for it’ attitude.

Volunteering at our place is fun and offers great learning opportunities. It fosters friendships and networks for those who love the creative arts.”

Kaitiaki of Newton Reserve

Jules and her family have spent holidays and weekends on Waiheke for nearly 30 years, and had a house on the island for 20 of those years. Following retirement, Jules and her partner will move here permanently, about which she is very happy!

She is currently chair of the Kaitiaki of Newton Reserve charitable trust (KNR), whose mission is the revegetation, restoration and beautification of Newton Reserve. Working with other members, she liaises with the local board, orders plants, plans ongoing work in the Reserve, manages the trust’s funds, and coordinates the volunteers who come from Auckland each month to help with weeding and planting.

Since 2006, KNR has planted more than 14,000 native plants and removed weeds from more than half of the six hectare area of the Reserve. The bird life has multiplied, with increased numbers in particular of tui, shining cuckoo, kereru, silvereyes, kaka, and grey warblers, due to the expanded native forest food supply.

“Our volunteers come from all over the world and to me this is how tourism should be – seeing the world while giving back, rather than passively using the planet’s dwindling resources for idle pleasure.

“If making your environment rich with natural splendours is what motivates you, then this is a project you should get involved with. You will have fun with others, get some physical exercise and gain a huge sense of satisfaction.”

Kaitiaki and Friends of Te Aroha Valley and Hekerua Bay

Tim and his wife Jackie built a small house five years ago on a section we had owned for 15 years in Te Aroha Valley. They have lived there on and off since then and moved to Waikeke permanently six months ago.

“For many years I had walked up and down Te Aroha walkway (Don’s Track) bemoaning the fact that no one was doing anything about the weed problem in what is a beautiful regenerating bush valley. I finally realised that if I wanted anything to happen I was probably going to have to get into action and organise it. I am a landscape architect, so I have a particular interest in regenerating the native bush and ecosystems.

“I started this neighbourhood group at the beginning of 2019. Its focus is on weed and pest control and regeneration of the bush in Te Aroha Valley and Hekerua Bay. I am the group coordinator – I manage communications with members, liaise with the steering committee, organise working bees, apply for funding and am working on developing systems to ensure the group has a viable long-term future.

“The big difference this group is making is in creating a greater sense of community for the residents of the Valley and surrounding neighbourhood. I see the potential for the project to be an example of how people can live in a bush setting in harmony with nature, while protecting and enhancing the ecosystems that share the valley with them.

“We have a strong sense of community in our group and really enjoy spending time together. I would encourage anyone who would like to get to know others in the local and wider community to join us, and along the way you will get to make a real difference to the natural environment, something very critical in the face of the challenges of climate change.”