Walking Festival participants who headed to the wonderful Hinewai 30th Anniversary celebrations on November 5 were entertained by a surprise speaker, Eugenie Sage, who wowed the crowd when she announced this was her first public engagement in her new role as Minister for Conservation. A keen conservationist, Eugenie has spent many years as the Forest and Bird spokeperson and served the area as an ECAN councillor. Less well known is that she lives in Diamond Harbour (with her partner Rod Donald Trustee Richard Suggate), so not only does she have a fantastic background in conservation but she is a local to boot! No wonder she got a standing ovation at Hinewai.
Opening speaker Mayor Lianne Dalziel addresses the large crowd
Jules Knob provided a great lookout to appreciate how natives are beating the gorse
Hugh Wilson at Hinewai 30th
Walking Festival group visit Wairuru Falls