New Zealand NewsJUNE 2015

NEW ZEALANDERS OF SEATTLE CLUBSEATTLE-CHRISTCHURCH SISTER CITY ORGANIZATION

An occasional newsletter for transplanted Kiwis

****Save the dates 2015-2016****

A Kiwi and Aussie Event – Coming up soon!!

Friday June 12th 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Sample NZ and Aussie Wines

Esquin Wine Merchants

2700 4th Ave South Seattle 98134

See page 9 for flyer

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Central and Eastern Washington Kiwi picnic

July 4th weekend – all invited

At the Moses Lake home of

Jodi and Christian O'Shea

Camping encouraged, beginning as early as July 2.

For info, call Helen Marieskind at 509.678.0422.

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Annual Hangi

Saturday July 18th –noon

Hangi opens at 1:30 pm

Hole-in-the-Sky

20032 SR 9 Maltby WA 98296

(see flyer and page 10 of newsletter for details)

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Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association Annual Dinner

Friday October 23rd 6 pm

Seattle Yacht Club

1807 E Hamlin Street Seattle WA 98112

Speaker – Sir Peter Snell

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Visit to Christchurch

February 21 – 24, 2016

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the

Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association

Plan your visit to NZ to include this

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HONORARY CONSUL REPORT

I have recently returned from a trip to New Zealand where I had meetings with Honorary Consuls from around the world. New Zealand has 70 Honorary Consuls around the world. They are being brought back to New Zealand in groups for trainings. This was the third group. It was fascinating to meet Honorary Consuls form such places as Windhoek in Namibia, Luanda in Angola, Chennai in India, Katmandu in Nepal , Panama City in Panama and Vladivostok in Russia, as well as a couple more from the USA.

We were briefed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and other Government entities. We also met with several NZ

companies including Fonterra, Air New Zealand, and Villa Maria. We were welcomed with a Maori Powhiri in Wellington where we spent three days before spending two days in Auckland. For some of the Honorary Consuls it was their first time in New Zealand and was of course an excellent way for them to become familiar with the country.

I also spent a few days in early April at the annual New Zealand Inc meetings in Washington DC. As New Zealand is now a temporary member of the United Nations Security Council it was particularly interesting to hear from the people connected with that. New Zealand will be a member for two years.

Rachel Jacobsen,

Honorary Consul

Honorary Consuls at Weta Studios, Wellington, NZ

Passports – NEW INFORMATION!

10 YEAR PASSPORTS: New Zealand passports will revert

to 10 year passports from five year ones for New Zealand adults from Jan. 1, 2016. The cost of a new passport will be $NZ180. Children’s passports will still need to be renewed every five years.

New Zealand passports can be renewed entirely online. You can even scan photos. Go to www.passports.govt.nz for the forms.

Also if you have not registered as a New Zealander abroad please visit: www.safetravel.govt.nz.

To contact me via email, please use: nzconsulseattle@gmail.com

SEATTLE CHRISTCHURCH SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION

The Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association sponsored the New Zealand Film “The Dark Horse” which was part of the Seattle International Film Festival. Actor Cliff Curtis was in Seattle for the showing and a pre-movie reception was held for him.

In April, two students form Rangi Ruru School in Christchurch attended the Annie Wright Academy for six weeks. This is the second year of the exchange. Students from Annie Wright will be in Christchurch in July.

Board member Clint Staaf has been volunteering at the Arboretum and tells us that the New Zealand Forest is progressing nicely. There is a full time gardener assigned just to the New Zealand garden!

Our annual dinner and meeting will be held at the Seattle Yacht Club on Friday October 23rd. We are thrilled to have New Zealand legend Sir Peter Snell as our speaker. Look for your invitation in September.

Next year is the 35th anniversary of the Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association. A delegation will be in Christchurch from February 21 – 24 to celebrate this and to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake. If you are planning a trip to New Zealand next February/March you might want to try and include these dates to be in Christchurch. For more information or to let us know that you might be in Christchurch at this time please email me at nzersofseattle@outlook.com

Rachel Jacobsen

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VERY OWN RACHEL JACOBSEN WHO HAS

RECEIVED THE AWARD OF MEMBER OF THE NEW

ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT FOR HER SERVICES TO UNITED

STATES-NEW ZEALAND RELATIONS IN THIS YEAR'S

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST.

THE ORDER IS AWARDED TO THOSE “WHO IN ANY FIELD OF

ENDEAVOUR, HAVE RENDERED MERITORIOUS

SERVICE TO THE CROWN AND THE NATION OR WHO HAVE BECOME DISTINGUISHED BY THEIR EMINENCE, TALENTS, CONTRIBUTIONS, OR OTHER

MERITS”

JACOBSEN, MS RACHEL RUTH (RACHEL LEVY)For services to New Zealand-United States relations

Mrs Rachel Jacobsen has been the Honorary New Zealand Consul for Seattle in the United States since 2009.

Mrs Jacobsen conducts her Consular duties on a 24/7 basis, quickly responding to New Zealanders in need. She founded the New Zealanders of Seattle culture and support group in 1979. She has been President of the Seattle-Christchurch Sister City Association, since 2004. She spearheaded fundraising in Seattle following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, raising US$45,000 towards the purchase of a First Response Vehicle and led a delegation to Christchurch to present the donated vehicle. She coordinated with the Seattle Arboretum Foundation Director to plan, develop and open a New Zealand Forest in 2013. The New Zealand Forest covers more than two acres and is the largest collection of native New Zealand plants outside of New Zealand. She worked with the Burke Museum Director to bring the Toi Māori exhibit to Seattle in 2006 and has supported the screening of New Zealand films at the Seattle International Film Festival. With her husband she has coordinated an annual hangi for expatriate New Zealanders. Mrs Jacobsen has helped organise an annual ANZAC Day commemorative event for the Seattle based Australian, Turkish and New Zealand communities.

Mrs. Jacobsen with exchange students Maislie and Annelise at the April 2015 Dawn service

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Seattle International Children's Friendship Festival

New Zealand was well represented in April at the 2015 International Children's Friendship Festival. Our display board showed the wonderful landscape, fauna, and flora of New Zealand, as well as various aspects of the Kiwi culture. Kids of all nationalities stopped by and were introduced to our stuffed Kiwi, Takahe, and Kea birds. The more patient ones had the opportunity to read children's books, such as the one about a cheeky Pukeko who gets stuck in a possum trap and is rescued by a tramper, or the wonderful story of Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, the story of the Kea, Maori legends, and others. We had plenty of books and photos with New Zealand landscapes, encouraging parents to go visit. Everyone had the opportunity to select a Kiwi-themed sticker and a stamp for the international passport. The most popular one was the Korora, also known as the Little Blue Penguin (its nest can be found among other places on Tiritiri Matangi, off the coast of Auckland, for those interested). Overall, both the organizers and the children attending the festival had a blast!

Waitangi Day 2015

The New Zealander’s of Seattle met at the Kangaroo and Kiwi pub on February 7th to observe Waitangi Day. We had a full room with over 40 people participating in this year’s festivities. Meat pies, sausage rolls and fish & chips were washed down with Steinlager, L &

P and Lime & Bitters. We welcomed those who were joining us for the first time and envied our friends who were actually spending time in New Zealand this Waitangi Day!

Thank you to owner Brad for allowing us to host this event at the Kangaroo and Kiwi pub.

FACEBOOK PAGE

Please remember to check out and “like” our Facebook page. We recently set up a Facebook page for the New Zealanders of Seattle and the Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association. Thanks to Gareth Waugh for running this.

Please "like" this page and let others in Washington State know about it. There are a couple of other Seattle Kiwi related Facebook pages. If you know of people connected to them please let them know about ours so they can come to our events.

Notices of events will be posted there and you can submit messages or post questions.

The web address is:

https://www.facebook.com/NZdersofSeattle

ANZAC Day Dawn Service 100 Years Since Gallipoli

In Seattle, in the quiet and chill before sunrise, around 150 people gathered on Saturday April 25th, to remember soldiers who fought at Gallipoli on April 25,1915, 100 years earlier. For the speaker who opened the dawn service, it was of special significance, as this was the day his great-grandfather died on the beach at Gallipoli, and leaving behind a young wife and family.

Travis Jones organized the Seattle event, and following his very moving remembrance, the Honorary Consult Emeritus for Australia, Len

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Reid spoke to the gathering about the huge losses for New Zealand and Australia in that battle, and the additional losses for the Turkish soldiers who also fought and died that day. New Zealand’s Honorary Consul Rachel Jacobsen read a moving and iconic poem about the Great War, In Flanders Field, and an ensemble of Maori singers sang How Great Thou Art in Maori.

Flags from all three nations – Australia, New Zealand and Turkey - were flying in the cool breeze coming in from Lake Union to the assembly area in front of MOHAI, while a bugler played and the crowd remained quiet and reflective. Poppies were brought to occasion, and The Kangaroo and Kiwi generously provided freshly-made Anzac biscuits and home-made pikelets to go with hot coffee that they had prepared well before dawn.

ANZAC Day: Lest We Forget

Anzac Day, 25th April, is considered by many as Australia’s and New Zealand’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War 1. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as the ANZACs – Australian and New Zealand Armed Corps. History was to remember the original Anzacs for their courage, often against insurmountable odds, and their readiness to help when called upon in the service of their country.Every year Australians and New Zealanders reflect and pay homage to the sacrifice of the original ANZACs, and those who have followed in the service of their country. On Anzac Day, commemorative marches and services are held at dawn – the time of the original landing at a small cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula. A dawn service is also held at Gallipoli in Turkey where an ever increasing number of Australians and New Zealanders find their way each year to honor the sacrifice made by so many.

ANZAC day 2015: a moment of deep importance for New Zealanders and Australians

On the evening of Saturday April 25th a crowd of over 100 Australians, New Zealanders and Turks gathered in the Cascade Ballroom of the Nexus Hotel in Seattle to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli and to recognize those who have served in the armed forces.

The evening started with an introduction of the Turkish Honorary Consul Emeritus, John Gokcen, the Australian Honorary Consul Emeritus and the New Zealand Honorary Consul Rachel Jacobsen. A special welcome was given to a 16 person visiting Maori delegation.

A very moving reading was given by Richard Purchas who shared writings from his great grandfather’s diary – a section written by his wife who served as a nurse in Egypt and died there during the 1915 Battle of Gallipoli.

Our keynote speaker was retired New Zealand Naval Commander David Toms who now lives in Seattle. He spoke about the grim realities of Gallipoli 100 years ago.

A member of the Turkish community read Ataturk’s famous works reaching out to the mothers of his former enemies. The Maori delegation sang, the Australian Consul read “The Ode” and the commemoration ended with Todd Mahaffey playing a beautiful rendition of “The Last Post.”

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Following this the three communities shared Turkish food and Australian and New Zealand desserts and New Zealand wine. The goal of our event is to bring the three communities together to remember and to move forward in peace.

Maori group singing at the ANZAC Day event

Central and Eastern Washington News

Summer picnic – July 2-5, 2015

Please join Central and Eastern Washington New Zealanders (CEWNZ) for a joint celebration for New Zealanders and US family and friends on July 4th weekend at the lakefront home of Jodi and Christian O'Shea in sunny Moses Lake.

Camping encouraged, beginning as early as July 2. Make it a camping New Zealand weekend!

Children, grandchildren, friends and family are all welcome! The O’Shea’s address is: 2606 Elgin Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837-9763

See the end of the newsletter for other accommodation and food information.

RSVP or questions: Helen Marieskind at 509.678.0422 or John Pearson at 509.288.0161

On another topic but, definitely CEWNZ related—

The Wellington International Ukelele Orchestra opens its 2016 USA Tour in YAKIMA on January 19, 2016.

They arrive in Yakima late on Sunday, January 17 and we’d like to organize a little Central Washington hospitality for themon January 18 and get them in good form for their show at Yakima’s Capitol Theatre on January 19, 2016.

Check out their Web site athttp://www.ukulele.co.nz

and the Web site of the Capitol Theatre at http://capitoltheatre.org

THE DARK HORSE

On a warm Saturday afternoon, May 30th, around 50 of us gathered at the Agave Cocina in Seattle to feast on appetizers provided by the Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association. The purpose of the gathering was to meet acclaimed New Zealand actor Cliff Curtis. Cliff greeted everyone with great friendliness and interest. He graciously posed for photos and entertained us with descriptions of his past movie roles – “Whale Rider,” “Boy,” “The Piano, “and what he had to do to get ready for this latest movie.

A captivating Cliff Curtis

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After the gathering we all walked the couple of blocks to SIFF Uptown Cinema to see “The Dark Horse”. The movie was superb – so touching and also so heartwarming. Cliff did a tremendous job of becoming the main character. The character was a complete change from what Cliff really looks like.

A great afternoon and evening was had by all, and we thank Cliff Curtis for his graciousness and warmth.

E Book

New Zealander, Tricia Alach, who lives in Seattle, has just published her first ebook – The Way of the Wellbeing. The book is a short, simple guide to developing the habits that will help people live happier and healthier lives.

Tricia Alach is a natural therapist and wellness coach who specializes in working with busy people who want to reclaim and enjoy their lives. She is the founder of Flow Mind & Body and also contributes to the field through workshops on wellbeing and, as a columnist and speaker. Originally from New Zealand she has spent the past decade living across several countries including the Netherlands and the UK and is currently based in Seattle. During that time she worked in a range of roles as a leadership development specialist and business adviser, more recently transitioning into the field of holistic health where she works as a reflexologist and wellness coach. Like most people she spends far too much time on Facebook where you can find her sharing words of inspiration and wisdom along with the occasional kitten video.

For more information and links to other articles on wellbeing visit:

www.flowmindandbody.com

CONSULAR SERVICES

NZ Consul-General LA, Leon GriceNew Zealand Consulate-General2425 Olympic Blvd. Suite 600 ESanta Monica CA 90404Phone: (310) 566-6555Fax: (310) 566-6556Email: contact@nzcgla.orgwww.nzemb.org

NZ Ambassador, Mike Moore NZ Embassy37 Observatory Circle NWWashington, D.C. 20008Phone: (202) 328-4848Fax: (202) 667-5227info@nzemb.org

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NZ Honorary Consul, SeattleRachel Jacobsen PO Box 51059Seattle WA 98115Phone: (206) 527-1896 nzconsulseattle@gmail.com

NEW ZEALANDERS OF

SEATTLE & SEATTLE-CHRISTCHURCH SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

Dues for the Seattle Christchurch Sister City Association are $15 for an individual and $25 for a family membership. 

Please send form to: SCSCA PO Box 51059 Seattle, WA 98115 

Annual dues for the New Zealanders of Seattle are $15. Please send the form to: Diana Staaf, 11049 Bartlett Ave NE Seattle WA 98125

SEND NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

AND EMAIL ADDRESSES TO EDITOR

If you hear anything interesting, then let me know. Also, if you can provide me with email updates I can help the world cut down on paper waste.

Please send email addresses (or other changes) to: nzersofseattle@yahoo.com.

However, please send membership renewals or applications to the addresses listed in the prior item.

OTHER NEW ZEALAND LINKS

www.govt.nz is the NZ government web portal

www.passports.govt.nz  is for renewing NZ passports

www.usnzcouncil.org is the United States - New Zealand Council which was founded in 1986 to strengthen United States New Zealand relations. It is headquartered in Washington DC.

www.hillarysport.org.nz is for NZ sports

www.culture.co.nz or www.Maori.org.nz is for Maori culture

www.safetravel.govt.nz  is a place for New Zealanders to register before traveling. It also contains a lot of useful information.

www.akiko.com is a great resource for travel in NZ

www.kiwiexpat.org.nz is the home site for the Kiwi Expat Association (KEA)

www.nzherald.co.nz is the NZ Herald new site

www.publicaddress.net contains commentaries on the NZ political and cultural scene

www.nz.com has Brian Hamer’s news summaries

New Zealand NewsJUNE 2015

P. O. BOX 51059SEATTLE, WA 98115

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It’s Hangi Time!!New Zealanders of Seattle

Annual Summer Hangi and Picnicat Hole-in-the-Sky, Maltby

20032 SR 9 98296

Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 12.00 noonHangi open at 1.30 pm

Adults $12, Children $3, Family $30Come and join your mates at this fantastic location for an afternoon of great kiwi food, fun and friendship. It’s great to see new faces and our regulars.

BYO drinks and a salad or dessert to share.Don’t forget the sunscreen!

The large pond is available for kids’ water activities again this year. Please bring lifejackets as they will be required. There’s a grassy field for sports so bring cricket gear etc. Spread your blanket on the grass for a picnic. There will be the traditional lolly scramble for all age groups and the tug-of-war.

Once again we’re glad to have Matthew Stannard doing the Hangi. We need lots of volunteers to help prepare the pit and gear on Friday evening, prepare the food baskets on Saturday morning, to serve the food and help clean up afterwards. Please phone Matthew at (206) 387-3669 or email at matthew@stannardconway.com now so he can plan on having your help.

Note: No Dogs Please!!Directions:From Seattle: Take 520 Bridge across to Lake Washington. Head north on I-405. Take Exit #23 onto SR522 East (to Munro). Drive 4 miles on SR522 East and take Highway 9 North (to Snohomish). Continue heading North through light at 1.6 miles (Turners Corner). Hole-in-the-Sky is 0.8 miles on left past Turners Corner lights- street no. 20022. You cannot make a left hand turn here. Continue on to 188th Street SE. Make a U-turn and head south on Highway 9. Turn right into Hole-in- the- Sky. The entrance will be marked with a sign and NZ Flag. It is opposite a development called “Highland Vista”.From Eastside: Take I-405 North and follow directions as above.

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CENTRAL AND EASTERN WASHINGTON SUMMER PICNIC –

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2015 ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD FOR JULY 2, 2015 THROUGH BREAKFAST JULY 5, 2015 CELEBRATION IN MOSES LAKE FOR CEWNZ AND US FAMILY AND FRIENDS

MOTELS (ADD TAX TO ALL AVERAGE CHARGES.)

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS 509.766.2000 /AVERAGE DOUBLE ROOM $166

RAMADA 509.766.1000/ AVERAGE DOUBLE ROOM $140

AMERISTAY INN AND SUITES (PART OF PAPA'S CASINO) 509.764.7500/ AVERAGE DOUBLE ROOM $119

LAKESIDE MOTEL 509.765.8651/ AVERAGE DOUBLE ROOM $50 OR $75, DEPENDING ON ONE BED OR TWO

FOOD CHOICES TO BRING:

APPETIZERS: SAUSAGE ROLLS, ASPARAGUS ROLLS, BACON & EGG PIE, CHIPS, FRUIT

SALADS: FRUIT, LETTUCE, SPINACH, POTATO

VEGETABLES: CARROTS, PARSNIPS, PEAS, POTATOES

DESSERTS: PAVLOVA, TRIFLE, FRUIT SALAD, ÉCLAIRS

BREAKFAST GOODIES: EGG DISHES, SCONES ETC.

New Zealand News

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P. O. BOX 51059SEATTLE, WA 98115

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