Friends of the Farm (FOTF) hosted another very successful lantern walk at Ambury Farm this year to celebrate Matariki. There was a huge turnout – our counters clicked nearly 300 people! The members of FOTF – who are all volunteers – are busy in our local community organising various events including Lantern Walks, orchard working bees and workshops, mangrove seedling removal working bees, and Repair Cafes. Their vision has always been to create a caring, connected wastewise community and this year’s event fulfilled that vision.
It was wonderful to see so many families arriving, all rugged up warm, prepared to make lanterns with their frozen tin cans. A supply of frozen cans was on hand so no one missed out.
Many hands hammered away in the farm barn, busily making their lanterns. Outside cooks and helpers were providing sausages (from our local butcher in Mangere Bridge), hash browns and onions, plus some very special kumara soup made from kumara harvested recently in our community orchard – all lit up by the gentle glow of the lanterns.
Some people got the chance to look through a telescope and see the stars up close. They were treated to the sight of a Ruru (Morepork) who swooped by a couple of times, probably chasing moths in the sky.
There couldn’t have been a better evening as it was so still and clear. The candles in the lanterns thankfully remained lit as the group proceeded on the hikoi through the farm paddocks. It was an amazing sight seeing the lights bobbing in the darkness on the foreshore and through the paddocks. Near the shore we were delighted by the squawk of hundreds of Tōrea (Oyster Catchers) roosting on the rocks. Many people may have missed that sight as they were busy focusing on where they were walking in the dark!
At the end of the walk some of us shone torches in the trees and saw lots of chickens roosting, fast asleep, as the pet sheep watched on, wondering if there were any treats for them.
Back in the barn the helpers had been busy making hot chocolate, setting out home baking, and clearing up the barn and bbq. A tasty, warm finish to a fabulous family event that brought together our community to enjoy nature and celebrate Matariki .
Sincere thanks to the 22 volunteers who gave up their time to make a magical evening for families, which was free and super fun. Another special touch was that even though we had so many people enjoying the evening, our event site was spotless – no rubbish was left behind.
Local Barbs posted “Thanks FOTF for putting on such a special, friendly and inclusive community event. All the kai was delicious, but the Anzac biscuits especially were!”.
Thank you to everyone who came along to help create lasting childhood memories.
More Ambury Regional Park news…
- 2025 Seedling Swap Day and Giant Pumpkin Competition
- Moonlight Family Fun – our 2025 Matariki Lantern Walk
- 6500+ more plants at Ambury Regional Park, Māngere Bridge
- Preserves Workshop
- 2024 Volunteer Celebration and Thank You
- Bee Supermarket at Ambury Farm Park?!
- Māngere Bridge Seedling & Seed Swap Day
- Family Fun as 100’s enjoy our Matariki Lantern Walk 2024
- Best Bangers in the ‘Bridge – Rewarding Our Volunteers
- Celebrating Matariki – the Moonlight Lantern Walk
