Whangarei Federation - formed in 1934

A synopsis by Leonie Southwell,

Public Relations Officer for Whangarei Federation

• There are thirteen Institutes in our Whangarei Federation which celebrated 75 years in 2009. 
• We have 186 members , 111 of whom receive the Home & Country magazine.
• There are eight members on our Federation committee plus two ex-officio members who handle travel arrangements, visit members in hospital and  send cards to members who are bereaved, sick or celebrating birthdays or having wedding anniversaries.
• We hold two council meetings a year, at the Annual General Meeting we compete in the National Handcraft Competitions.
• The Institutes in our Federation are:

Denby-Kamo meet 1st Wednesday of the month

Kauri meet 1st Tuesday of the month

Mangawhai meet 1st Thursday of the month

Maromaku meet 1st Tuesday of the month

Maunu meet 1st Tuesday of the month

Poroti-Titoki meet 1st Tuesday of the month

Purua  meet 1st Thursday of the month

Riponui    meet 1st Thursday of the month

Ruakaka meet 3rd Tuesday of the month

Ruatangata meet 2nd Thursday of the month

Waipu meet 4th Thursday of the month

Whakapara meet 2nd Thursday of the month

Whangarei meet 4th Wednesday of the month

• Mangawhai Institute is the furtherest south over an hours drive from Whangarei. Several others are 35 - 40 kilometres from the city.
• All institutes are active in raising funds for various organisations such as Hospice, Maunu Health Camp and the Salvation Army. They also prepare and serve meals to theatre players; make hospital dolls (683 given to the Base Hospital in 2008); make quilts for children coming in to Women's Refuge, knit for the 'Fish 'n' Chip' babies and the prem units in the Base Hospital, support Daffodil House and the Northland Medical Association and donate pet food to the SPCA.
• We have interesting speakers at meetings and entertainment often written and performed by the members. Our meetings are not only interesting they are fun as well with members dressing up complete with hats for Melbourne Cup Day and involvement in community days and parades with stalls and exhibitions of members' work. Garden parties at members' homes are always well attended.
• We have a good working relationship with our local Leader newspaper with the Editor happy to publish WI news. We appreciate the support from the Leader.
• The current National President of the New Zealand Federation, Eleanor Holt is from the Purua WI in our Federation and National Executive Committee member Vi Wood-Oliff is from Poroti-Titoki WI.