Eastwoodhill Auction for Brainwaves on the Beach

The Friends of Eastwoodhill are excited to host Dr.Samantha Holdsworth, CEO and Research Director of Matai Research Institute at their Brainwaves on the Beach fundraising event in Gisborne.

At this year’s event the Friends will welcome Dr. Samantha Holdsworth for a ‘living room’ conversation about the incredible Mātai Research Institute where she is CEO and Research Director. An amazing and accomplished woman, we will get to hear all about her life and experiences.

On top of that we are having an art auction of some INCREDIBLE donated pieces as shown here. Some stunning original artworks and prints, these pieces have been kindly donated to Eastwoodhill from there renowned local artists.

The artists represented are;
Rosie Symes
Sally Gaddum
Joanna Abraham Joseph
Susan Vorster
Zoe Alford
Justine Hawksworth

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is home to over 25,000 species of exotic and native trees, shrubs and climber plants. We are an arboreal ark, a safe haven for threatened and endangered trees. Our mission is centred on conservation education and research.

The immense collection of trees at Eastwoodhill has been internationally recognised and was awarded the inaugural ‘Arboretum Distinguished for Merit’ by The International Dendrology Society in 1978. The Homestead Garden has also been rewarded and was recognised as a ‘Garden of National Significance’ with a five-star rating by the NZ Gardens Trust first in 2004 and as recently as 2017.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum relies heavily on donations and bequests from both the people of New Zealand and overseas for the ongoing maintenance and development of the national arboretum.

Although the Eastwoodhill Trust Board Act was passed by Parliament in 1975, this was primarily to create a governing body to oversee the maintenance and development of Eastwoodhill Arboretum and no financial support was pledged or has ever been received from the New Zealand government or local government agencies.

The Eastwoodhill Trust Board’s direction has always been well-defined – to ensure the long-term viability of Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Establishing financial stability through income generation and a sustainable endowment fund was imperative. The endowment fund still requires ongoing donations, legacies, and bequests to ensure a viable future for Eastwoodhill and to develop the diverse collection of specimens within the arboretum.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum needs help from individuals and groups who are able to provide financial assistance and ensure the future of Eastwoodhill is secure.

The Friends of Eastwoodhill Association is a non-profit organisation created to support Eastwoodhill Arboretum. The Friends are a dedicated group of volunteers who are passionate about Eastwoodhill.

Formed in 1989, the Friends Association has two objectives:

- To extend general public awareness and knowledge of native and exotic flora.
- To raise funds for the maintenance and development of Eastwoodhill Arboretum.

The Friends of Eastwoodhill help to raise funds and secure sponsorship to ensure the longevity and viability of Eastwoodhill.

The Friends are involved in planning and running fundraising events such as the Brainwaves on the Beach. All funds raised by the Friends go towards a specific Eastwoodhill project.