After a karakia by NZAF kuia Aunty Wai Mason, NZAF Northern and Midland Regional Manager Wayne Otter talked about the impact volunteers and supporters have had over the 25 year history of the NZAF. He then went on to introduce the first NZAF Trust Board Chair Kate Leslie MNZM, who talked about the early days of the NZAF, one of the NZAF's first volutneers Christina Jeffries, who talked about her experiences volunteering and manning the AIDS Hotline, Josh Wicks, who's one of the NZAF's newest volunteers, and Alastair Cameron, the current NZAF Trust Board chair.
The event took place at Carringtons in UNITEC and was a fitting tribute to the supporters, members, volunteers and ex-volunteers who have enriched the work of the NZAF since its beginning. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the people who we have lost to AIDS.
The next garden party, hosted by the NZAF Āwhina Centre, takes place at Wilton House in Wellington on Sunday 28 March. See here for more details. The NZAF will continue to hold a series of events over the year to mark our 25th anniversary. They'll be announced here, or you can read more about the Christchurch and Wellington garden parties here.
