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Save Kohimarama Forest

  • It's official!

      16 December 2021

    Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group is delighted with the decision by Melanesian Mission Trust Board today to defer sale of the land and rights comprising Kohimarama Forest.

    Instead, the Trust Board will work with the community groups who have supported Kohimarama Forest to develop a solution that meets the interests of Auckland as well as the charitable obligations of the Melanesian Mission Trust.

    Welcoming the outcome as a spokesperson for Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group, John Blair said;

    ”This is great news and crucially gives us the time we asked for to work collaboratively with the relevant interested parties to preserve this amazing piece of very diverse native forest and wetland.”

    Excellent work by volunteers over the past three years, supported by Eastern Bays Songbird Project, Auckland Council and the Orakei Local Board unearthed an ecological treasure in an urban environment. Efforts will now focus on establishing an appropriate structure for the long term ownership, governance and maintenance of Kohimarama Forest to preserve it for the wider community as a resource for research, education and recreation.

    Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group welcomed the support of Councillor Desley Simpson who, on behalf of Auckland Council, has greatly assisted this outcome. Cr Simpson has agreed for the time being to be the key spokesperson for the Group and to help facilitate the necessary processes to bring this to a permanent solution for the long term benefit of all who live in Tamaki Makaurau.

    Cr Simpson has previously made clear her concern that the offer made by the Melanesian Mission Trust for Auckland Council to purchase the land was rejected without her knowledge. “This part of Auckland hosts mature trees more than 100 years old. With climate change and environmental impacts front of mind for so many, it’s absolutely imperative for Council to work with the community to look at all options to keep this important ecological corridor free from development.”

    More information will come regarding the forest and Give A Little in the next couple weeks. Best place to stay updated is either in these page updates or: www.facebook.com/KohiForest

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  • When Should We Know More?

      9 December 2021

    Kia ora koutou katoa,

    Thank you again, to everyone who so kindly donated.

    Whether it was $1 or $1000, your generosity is getting us one step closer to protecting this forest.

    We have now closed the Give A Little page and are waiting to hear of news from the Melanesian Mission Trust Board's sale process. If the news is favourable, we will reopen this page and begin phase 2. We should be able to share more information with you early next week.

    The best place for updates is here: https://www.facebook.com/kohiforest

    In the meantime, take a look at this petition that a local set up: http://change.org/savekohimaramaforest

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group

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  • An Update on the Kohi Forest sale

      6 December 2021
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    Thank you all for your continued support... as an update.

    Today at 4 pm was the cutoff for Deadline Sale submissions to CBRE Real Estate Agents.

    Therefore we have submitted an official offer of intent as an expression of interest so that we are part of this sale process and are therefore on record.

    We are hopeful of a favourable result and will keep everyone posted as soon as we are able to.

    The photo is from our 'Experience Kohi Forest' event we held last weekend.

    Very grateful and inspired by the support and unity which the community has shown over the last few weeks. Truly amazing.

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group

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  • Experience Kohi Forest!

      2 December 2021
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    Kia ora koutou katoa,

    Further to our efforts to save this forest, we want to get the community involved now!

    On Saturday we are hosting an event at the forest with experts on ecology and conservation. Learn more about how special Kohimarama Forest is, the incredible restoration work that has taken place, and just how essential it is to protect it from being sold to developers.

    Many of you have sent us messages about living in the Eastern Bays all your life, and yet you never knew Kohimarama Forest was hidden within your suburb. Here is your chance to experience this gem in person!

    WHERE: 19 Pamela Place, Kohimarama

    WHEN: Saturday 4th December, 10am-12pm

    See the Facebook event here: https://fb.me/e/1mLOP2xPQ

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  • 3 Things You Can Do To Help

      30 November 2021
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    Kia ora koutou katoa,

    Thank you to everyone who has shared and donated so far to help us protect Kohi Forest. We are into our most important week now and we need to get the issue out to as many people as possible. We are starting to gain traction and have a number of key meetings this week.

    We must keep building on the momentum, so here are a few ways you can help us:

    Donate — Consider donating to our Give A Little campaign (Although many of you already have). We have created the page to gauge public support and build momentum as we approach the larger funding foundations and businesses who might be able to help us purchase the forest. We have a number of key meetings this week so it is essential to keep raising this number! We have just crossed $10,000!!

    Share — Spread our story, Give A Little campaign and the website (www.kohiforest.com) with your friends & whānau, especially if they have an audience. Word of mouth is often the best way to get people to care about something.

    Distribute — Flyers and posters are available via our website’s ‘downloads’ page which you can print and distribute amongst your community: www.kohiforest.com/downloads

    Kia kaha,

    KPFG

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  • Thank you Forest & Bird!!

      29 November 2021
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    Kia ora koutou katoa,

    Wow, we have had a massive surge in interest over the course of today as a result of Forest & Bird so kindly sharing our story through some of their channels. We would like to share our immense gratitude with their team.

    This week is going to be absolutely key for us, so please keep sharing it with friend, family and anyone who is able to spread the message to a larger reach.

    We have a number of meetings this week so hopefully we are able to share some positive news with you soon!

    Kia kaha,

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Marco.

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  • The Big 100!

      24 November 2021
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    100 people contributing to our campaign! Right from the start, we decided this Give A Little page was not about getting huge lump sums, but to get as many people engaged as possible. Thanks to everyone who has so kindly donated and shared this page. We need as many people to know about this as possible. We just had our first reporter come through this morning to learn more about the forest and to see the great work that has been done. We were even joined by Kererū on our walk. This should be out later this week! Stay tuned.

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Marco

    Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group

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  • Our First $1000

      23 November 2021

    Wow, and just like that, we have reached our first $1,000.

    We cannot give enough thanks to all of you who have been our first donors. It's easy to start a fundraiser, but it's difficult to start a movement. Everyone who has been so generous in their donations has helped transform our group of a few locals into something bigger; this is only the beginning.

    I'm sure some of you have seen this video, but it exemplifies just how important the first followers of a movement are: https://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement

    You have all helped us get this fundraiser off the ground and for that, we are eternally grateful.

    Kia kaha all! Lets save this forest!!

    Ngā mihi nui,

    Kohimarama Forest Preservation Group

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