FOCUS ON FOXTON’S VOLUNTEERS Save Our River Trust dedicated for 20 years

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

Trust members are known for their community-led efforts with riverside planting events, establishing the Piriharakeke Walkway and their contribution to upgrading the River Loop Reserve

Recently, Sort had a very special project — helping the Easter Bunny at the Riverside Cultural Park. MAVtech’s photographs captured the action, but you had to be there to enjoy the chocolate!

On March 28 hundreds of people were at Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park for the Easter edition of Horowhenua Pop Up Eats.

Among the food carts were four hidden rabbits, and searchers followed the clues to find the names to them all.

Fittingly, the bunnies were named: Save, Foxton, River and Loop. Once each group found all four, Sort volunteers helped the Easter Bunny give out some very delicious prizes!

More than 300 children took home a treat — but 15 keen-eyed searchers each went away with a massive chocolate rabbit. They had found a painted rock skilfully hidden to claim the biggest reward.

A crowd of over 500 people were at the park to enjoy the Easter Hunt, the food and the live music from Clint Taylor and Anthony Butterfield — making it the busiest Pop Up Eats ever.

The Easter Hunt was organised by a new generation of Save Our River Trust volunteers to help connect the community with Piriharakeke.

“While our primary focus remains on reopening the loop, we know that many of our peers don’t have memories of swimming or fishing in the awa.

“Events like this create pathways for positive...