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Project Island Song’s 12ks of Christmas - vintage style

  • 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....

  • Talk about going the extra mile!

      12 December 2025
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    Walked my 12km this morning in a 1950s hat, and a 1950s dress found by a friend of mine in the clothes swap tent at a music festival, while carrying a 1930s wooden bead bag.

    The last 4km friend and donor Kerri dressed up to accompany me.

    Then, because it was a condition of one donation amount, I shucked off the boots, donned a pair of 1940s blue suede heeled sandals, and tottered several 100m to lunch...

    It's been a wonderful experience, met lots of interesting people, and helped out an amazing project helping to return a few small wildernesses to NZ species. Thank you to all the Project Island Song volunteers!

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  • Busy day a challenge

      11 December 2025
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    Walk dog. Tai Chi class. Volunteer at Fixation fabric upcycle. Help prep for exhibition opening. Opening - with a wall of my woek.

    Then walk the rest of my 12km... stinking hot! No wonder my lipstick wore off. Hard to look immaculate at the best of times, let alone after a day like this!

    Fortunately this crisp 1950s cotton is cool, and the 1930s platter hat is a great sunshade.

    But - the feet are tired. 12km to go!

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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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  • How do we count kays?

      10 December 2025
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    I'm often asked how we know our walk distance. For me, early on I checked specific walk legs on the map, to be sure of distance. Each time I walked those legs, I checked distance tracking on my phone, and step counts on my watch. My phone didn't accurately reflect the map, but my watch showed a consistent per km step average. So I added 60 steps per km to that, and used that number to be sure I had walked at least 1km.

    I aim to have done 12km before my evening dog walk to be doubly sure I am doing what I am being sponsored to do.

    Today's dress is almost certainly late 1940s, found in an op shop by a friend. The fabric pattern is that period, as is the dress style, and the damaged zip. And the style of label, which as well as brand, says "The Royal Favourite". I replaced the zip with a vintage metal zip, and it's now a favourite, not least because it protects my shoulders from sun. It looks a lot better with summer shoes, instead of hiking boots!

    Hat is also 1940s. Earrings are screw-on, so likely pre-50s as clips took over.

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  • 1940s dress gives up at 13km

      9 December 2025
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    1940s house dress is cool to walk in, but has been much loved: I have repaired it several times and today, while unlacing my boots after 23 hot kilometres, there was a rrrriiiippp.... underarm tear, damn! I see a patch in its future.

    Hat 1970s, inherited.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 09/12/2025 by Jo Hay

      Loving your updates!!!

  • Hot as Hades in 60s cotton

      8 December 2025
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    A stinking hot day, thank goodness for the shade from my 'pavlova' hat, likely 1950s, with a 60s cotton dress.

    Net, bows, pearl beads, just another day on bush tracks. Cooler than road loops, but not by much: I have now walked 120km, so over the official 12, sadly I still have to walk another 4x 12, minimum. Should I wear vintage shoes for the last couple of kays? Hmmm

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  • Edwardian swimsuit cheekiness

      7 December 2025
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    I pledged to walk 12km in an Edwardian swimsuit if enough folk sponsored me, so here we are! Though I did have to effect a repair part way.

    Quite comfy to walk in, though it would have scandalised the Edwardians, as I didn't button the skirt on...

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  • Epic day - mad hat

      6 December 2025
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    Has to go to Auckland to watch a four-year-old's first dance recital, so walked this evening, including loops of Russell's glorious waterfront.

    Most frequent question this evening, 'What is that on your head'. Favourite comment 'you are more normal than I expected'.

    Another 12km-plus day done, made it half way!

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  • 14km in 1950s frippery

      5 December 2025
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    Don't think I will walk again in a tight bodice and full fluffy petticoat, it was HOT! Dress 1950s, hat and necklace also. Thank goodness for Long Beach coffee for a break, at 5km in. Through the front dooe at 14km, now to catch up with gardening. Shattered!

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  • Day 4, 1940s, 48km-plus down!

      4 December 2025
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    My 1940s cotton frock is easy to walk in, though the high winds weren't helpful today. Beginning to feel quite fatigued by the 10km mark, still got eight lots of 12km to go, hopefully it will be easier once the wind drops

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  • Day 3, 1950s

      3 December 2025
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    A friend found this silk frock in an op shop, in need of repair, for $3. It is suprisingly easy to walk in, and the combo with the mad hat netted some cash donations, thank you!

    But heavy, heavy rain paused the walk as wet silk just about bound my legs together. Completed the 12km later in the day, back in the now-dry frock.

    Might need to steam the hat flowers though. The hat is great in strong winds - stays put - but rain? Not so much.

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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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  • Day two, 1950s

      2 December 2025
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    Drizzle kept me cool today! Dress 1950s, hat 1950s, earrings likely 60s.

    I'm enjoying having a bit of fun with this. 24km-plus down (ended up walking 17km yesterday!), only 120km to go...

    Thank you for the support.

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  • Day one, 1950s/60s

      1 December 2025
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    Today's vintage dress was made by my aunt, as a young mum at the turn of the 50s/60s, and passed on to me after she died. 1950s clip-on glass earrings, drink bladder carried in hand-made flax backpack.

    Today's dress sponsored by Jane, thank you!

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