Newspaper Article 2004 – Book on Te Urewera ‘friends’ will be launched at AGM this weekend

Book on Te Urewera ‘friends’ will be launched at AGM this weekend

A NEW book is to be launched at the AGM of the Friends of Te Urewera National Park Association Inc this weekend, as part of the 40th anniversary commemoration.

There has been a wealth of history stashed away in drawers and hidden in the hearts of people who have been associated with the Friends of Te Urewera National Park over the past four decades. To ensure this information is not lost, the Friends employed member Cherry Metz to compile a commemorative booklet, assisted by her daughter and secretary Toni Metz.

Documented as “A Celebration of 40 Years of Conservation and Partnership”, the booklet is full of memoirs and photos from people associated with the Friends of Te Urewera National Park and is a record of the significant contribution of time and resources gifted to the cause since the organisation’s inception.

The booklet captures the spirit of the work that has been undertaken over the years and has been a labour of love for Cherry, Toni and many others who have contributed to its publication.

In addition to this, Toni Metz has been busy creating a very special photograph album.

A grant from the Lion Foundation has made it financially possible for an “alphabetical” A2-sized historic photo album to be collated, similar to one held in the Gisborne library .The album will incorporate many photos that have, until now, been kept in files at the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre, including some of the early pa that were established in the lake area and pioneering photos.

On its completion it is intended that the photo album will be on display at the visitor centre. Toni says she hopes it will be the first of many albums.

Copies of the booklet will be available at the Waikaremoana Motor Camp, where this weekend’s AGM is being held, from the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre, store or from Toni herself, phone 838 8230. It is also hoped to become available through outlets in Wairoa.

Photo captions –

Cherry Metz

Toni Metz