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Project Island Song’s 12ks of Christmas - Grace Murphy

  • They did it!

      15 December 2025
    Posted by: Project Island Song

    Huge congratulations and thanks to the 20 absolute heroes who completed their 12ks of Christmas challenges on Friday!

    It's been an immense effort from all of them, covering huge distance in the unseasonably hot early December weather.

    Alongside their physical efforts, they have all done an incredible job of engaging with their community and networks, raising more than $21,600 towards the restoration of the islands. This is a huge contribution, breezing past the $15,000 raised last year, and the fundraising page will still be open for donations until 31st December.

    Massive thanks are also due to everyone who has donated to support our participants. What an awesome way to end the year!

    Check out this little video we've put together to celebrate their efforts. Meri Kirihimete!

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    • 15/12/2025 by Jo Hay

      Awesome video. I'm so grateful to have been a part of this mahi.

    • 15/12/2025 by Hana

      Well done everyone..,. Meanage....

  • Day 12, job done. woohooo!!

      12 December 2025
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    Groggily I staggered out of bed at 4:45am to run the 12 kms owing today. I do actually find morning runs mentally easier as it seems the brain doesn’t really register what you’re up to until you’re well underway and by then, you’ve come too far to give up so just keep plodding along, this works even better in the dark because then it’s just like a dream! Anyway, I’m off on tangents now. I’m feeling absolutely stoked to have completed this mission, 78 kms in the last 12 days, which doesn’t really sound like much but with a busy schedule and zero rest days it starts to take it’s toll. Thank you all so much for your support, this really is an awesome cause and I hope you can get out to enjoy the bird life on the islands of Ipipiri, theres lots of cool birds you don’t see on the mainland and awesome native bush with walking trails everywhere so us humans can enjoy it too. Check out Project Island Songs website and maybe consider signing up to the volunteer database if you’re keen to get out there with us and get your hands dirty protecting these habitats!

    Donations are open for a few more days yet but that’s my running done, thanks once again! Time to head off and get the kids ready for their last day of school and me for work. Have a great Friday and an even better weekend!! ✌️

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  • 11 Days Down, 1 To Go! 🙌

      11 December 2025
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    There were some trade offs made with today’s run, I traded a little extra sleep in the morning for a run in the heat (regretted that decision), and funnily enough it led to the next trade off which was to chase some shade and a change of scenery which saw me decide to point my nose to Tapeka. The shade of the bush was much appreciated, the stages of steep steps not so much, I loved the beach views of sandy and rocky beach but then headed up Rewa Place and straight into a gauntlet of yet another bunch of stroppy seagulls, intent on dive bombing/escorting me well out of their territory! It’s becoming quite a theme. Back over to town and up and down a few streets with a much needed hydration stop at the 4 Square and then back to where I started, beautiful Longbeach, being careful to avoid any proximity to what I assume is Mr and Mrs Seagulls nest, I’d had enough dive bombing for one day! I’d like to thank the Between Two Beers Podcast with Laura McGoldrick for keeping my mind occupied for most of it and to all the wonderful donors who are helping our cause! You rock!

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  • One day to go!

      11 December 2025
    Posted by: Project Island Song
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    Tomorrow is the final day, and it’s a big one for all our participants. Those who’ve been building up from 1km will have their biggest run yet, while I’m sure the 12km is not feeling any easier for those who’ve done it 11 times already!

    A few highlights:

    • Jacqui was interviewed on RNZ talking about taking part in the 12ks dressed in her vintage clothing collection.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/audio/2019015751/walking-144-kilometres-in-impeccable-vintage

    • The Northern Advocate ran a story including a focus on Jo’s efforts to clean up 12km of litter in Taipa. Jo (now joined by her husband) has been collecting 5 black bags of rubbish every day!

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/on-the-up-locals-walk-run-and-pick-up-litter-for-bay-of-islands-fundraiser/OYPBELMJEVCK5CNVBQ6GYKZL5U/

    • Cam has now run 252km over the past 11 days, which is the distance by road from Russell to central Auckland. Mind-blowing!

    • Just to make things a little hotter, Laura (the penguin), Abby (dolphin), and Maryanne (bat), completed some of their kms in costume at the Paihia and Russell Christmas parades!

    Thank you so much to the 281 people who have already donated so generously.

    Wouldn’t it be an incredible boost to the absolute legends taking part in this if we could get to $18k, $19k, or even the full $20k tomorrow?!

    Please support them and help us to get there however you can - chip in a few dollars, or share their efforts far and wide to encourage others!

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  • 12 K’s of Christmas, Day 10!

      10 December 2025
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    10 km done, 2 days to go, I am most DEFINITELY counting down the days. Legs were tiiiiired this morning, so was the mind, I think it was the first time I looked at the little gravel patch on the side of the road and thought gee I’d love to curl up there for a quick nap. Never mind, one foot in front of the other is progress and eventually the distance ticked over to 10km. I got to enjoy watching the day break, another quick visit from cranky seagulls (but two can play that game, I think I’d make a good scarecrow), the beautiful bay views you’re treated to when trotting around Kororāreka really took the edge off. Then it was off home to get ready for work and kids to school and of course, an extra strong coffee!

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  • Day 9, 9km

      9 December 2025
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    Today’s schedule was a bit busy but I found an hour between work and school pickup to squeeze in my 9kms. Unfortunately it was a hotter part of the day so I hit the bush tracks in search of shade, the trade off was navigating tree roots and steep climbs but what goes up, must come down and I enjoyed the downhills and the shade very much! 10km tomorrow morning and only 3 more days to go, let’s just say me and my tired legs are looking forward to the weekend! Appreciate your support so much!

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    • 09/12/2025 by Jo Hay

      Love reading your updates. Last few days to go now, and yeah, harder to fit into the day, but you're almost there. Keep it up!!!

    • 10/12/2025 by Grace Murphy

      Thank you Jo!! Really appreciate your comment!

  • Day 8, 12 Days of Christmas, 8km

      8 December 2025
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    I spent a lot of this run wondering why some days seem so much harder than others and why only one extra km than the day before seemed like such an ordeal.. I never really landed on an answer because I got sidetracked admiring the glorious state of the waterfront, bathing in the evening sun and then trotted over the hill to longbeach where the sun had disappeared already and the beach was winding down for the night. It was all very picturesque. Apart from the seagulls dive bombing me, a bit rude I thought, given them and their feathery friends are the benefactors of our efforts.

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  • Day7, 7km Run

      7 December 2025
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    Another day, another k. Today was 7 and I thought I’d get it out of the way nice n early before the sun got a chance to heat things up. The sunrise was glorious and I may have even felt a little smug at my virtuous start to the day! That feeling soon wore off as the tired legs reminded me I’d actually rather still be in bed, but a deals a deal (thank you kind donors) and I had a busy Sunday ahead so ploughed on to soon tick that particular box and move onto the next one. I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday in this amazing beautiful day and managed to see the Project Island Song team, Pūkeko and co dancing their way through the Russell Christmas Parade

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  • 12 Days of Chsristmas, Day 6

      6 December 2025
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    Today my biggest boy and I ran 6km from Longbeach to town and back again. We had a few footwear hiccups but solved that by running in socks and pressing forward knowing there was going to be a well earned swim at the end! Pleased to be at the halfway mark but slightly worried as the 2nd half runs see the kms climbing closer and closer to their 12km peak next Saturday.i barely found the time to fit this weeks runs in! Please keep the support coming and if you can make it to the Russell Christmas Parade tomorrow you’ll be treated to the awesome Project Island Song team dressed to impress!

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  • Day 5 of 12, 5kms

      5 December 2025
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    Life is busy, am feeling a bit tired but know it’s for such a great cause and daily running is good for the health! So many upshot’s, not to mention a beauty sunrise at longbeach this morning. .got today’s run in early then headed home to get the kids ready for school and myself off to work. Happy Friday you legendary supporters! 🙏

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  • 12 Days of Christmas, Day 4

      4 December 2025
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    I kicked off today’s km’s from the Russell boat ramp, a very windy place this evening so I made sure to run in the other direction! But not before spying Project Island Songs reminder to Check Your Boat before heading out to help keep the islands pest free. 🚫🐀 🚫🐜🚫🐁…..

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  • We just reached our $12,000 goal on Day 3!

      3 December 2025
    Posted by: Project Island Song
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    Oh my goodness - after an absolutely colossal day yesterday for Give a Little Day, with more than $6,600 donated in 24 hours, we can’t quite believe that we have just reached our initial goal of $12,000 on the morning of Day 3!

    Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated to support our amazing runners and walkers. We’re completely blown away by the number of people getting behind the 12ks this year.

    A big welcome to our newest participants - Elsie, Kevin, Michelle, Rachel, Sandra, Sarah, and Steph.

    We’ve now got a whopping 20 people taking part which is fantastic, and between them they will be walking or running a combined 2,166km by 12th December!

    This is longer than the length of New Zealand (1,600km), and just slightly more than the distance between Sydney and Auckland (2,156km)!

    What now? Well with 9 days of walking and running still to go, we have just raised the overall goal to $20,000.

    Can we get there? We really don’t know but we hope so! This would be a truly phenomenal amount of money to raise for our collective mahi on the islands.

    Please continue to get behind all our participants, especially as the feet start to blister and the legs begin to tire! Spread the word to friends and family, walk alongside them (literally or figuratively), and be cheerleaders for their awesome efforts. Your support will keep them going.

    Spare an extra thought for all our participants today who may have to time their runs/walks well to avoid getting very soggy!

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  • 12 Days of Christmas, Day 3

      3 December 2025
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    Kicked off a beauty morning before the thunderstorms rolled in with a 5km run for Day 3, can I bank the extra 2km and cash it in on say, Day 12? 🤔 Kidding! A special highlight was seeing our other fundraisers out smashing their 12kms, awesome stuff team! Thanks to my running buddy Zoe for the company, motivation and vibes! All donations to Project Island Song gratefully received.

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  • 12 Days of Christmas, Day 2, 2km

      2 December 2025
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    After a busy day on the islands clearing wetāpunga lines and moving some of the team around the Bay I headed back to shore for a post school run with my little mate. 2km done. Today was a great reminder of the important and awesome work that Project Island Song do and we’re so grateful for everyone’s support! 🙏

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  • Day 1

      1 December 2025
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    Day 1 of 12 done! A beautiful morning at Longbeach looking out to Motuarohia and Moturua, two beautiful pest free islands of the BOI. Thanks to my awesome running buddies for joining me and thank you all for your support!

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