Overseas Chinese Association New Zealand Chapter—31 May 2014

Our neighbours at CUE Haven, Tai Wen Tsu and Yu Hua Hu, are members of the Overseas Chinese Association New Zealand Chapter.  The Association is regularly involved in community service projects and Tai Wen arranged for them to visit CUE Haven for a planting day.

47 members of the Association arrived at about ten and included Ada, Adonis, Anny, Carol, Chialo Ma, Chien Chiang, Ching Ching, Chris, Christina, Chung Hsien, Cyndie, David, Elaine, Ellen, Eric, Gary, George, Heidi Ma, Heidi Wang, Hsiao Ping, Ifsen, Ivy, Jade, Jenney, Jerry, Jo Joseph, Jo Wang, Johnson Chow, Johnson Zou, Joseph, Ken, Lauren, Lawden, Lina, Linda, Lola, Lucy, Mary, Peter, Ruby, Simon, Tai Wen, Ted, Tina, William, Yu Hua and Yu Jang.

We got acquainted over morning tea.  Nestle NZ generously sponsored a variety of Nescafe Menu coffees which were most appreciated. Thanks, Nestle NZ!!

Mahrukh gave the group an overview of the CUE Haven restoration project and Tom did a safety briefing.

Then it was a short walk up the planting site where Tom gave a planting demonstration before the group went to work.

In addition to planting, the other task was to put stakes next to the trees which had been planted.  This will enable us to find the trees this summer when the weeds grow up and we will be doing weed control.

When the planting was finished, the team picked up all the pots and trays and equipment.

In just a couple of hours, the group planted 650 trees!  An amazing effort!!

While the group was planting, some association members came down to prepare lunch. The group celebrated their upcoming Dragon Boat Festival with a special soup and sticky rice dumplings.

After lunch, several of the group members went up to the top of the property to explore and took a walk back down the gully walking track.

We had a great day with the group and are very happy to have made so many new friends.

A special thanks to Tai Wen Tsu and Adonis Yang for their help with organising the visit.

And a really big THANK YOU to all the members who came today. We really appreciate your enthusiasm and your hard work.

You’ve made a major contribution not only to CUE Haven and your adopted home of New Zealand, but also to our planet!   Thanks again!!  We look forward to having you visit again soon.