Ka whaingia ka tupu, ka puawai
That which is nurtured blossoms and grows
Pop-Up Café Fundraisers
Twice a year, Café 123 opens its doors for an exclusive pop-up event, bringing our community and visitors together over the very best café-quality food and boutique, fair-trade organic coffee roasted right here on-site.
These gatherings are more than just a great meal—they are vital fundraisers run by the Āwhitu Collective. Every coffee poured and slice enjoyed directly supports our Charitable Trust, helping us fund the projects and vision that keep our community thriving.
Community Firewood Gathering
Ahead of the winter chill, our collective came together for a purposeful weekend focused on community warmth and sustainable living. The first day was all about collective action and hard work, as volunteers gathered to process a fallen tree into split firewood. Driven by the spirit of manaakitanga, our goal was clear: to stockpile enough wood to distribute to the most vulnerable members of our community, ensuring that local families in need could keep their homes warm and healthy throughout the colder months.
The second day transformed the event into an educational wānanga, centering on the art of traditional firewood storage. Guided by one of our own talented collective members, we were treated to a hands-on masterclass in building a Holz Hausen—a traditional, circular German wood stack. Participants learned how this efficient, freestanding method optimizes airflow for quicker seasoning while creating a beautiful, structural feature in the landscape. It was a perfect weekend of community connection, combining practical support for our neighbours with the sharing of valuable, timeless skills.
Celebration Hāngī & Wānanga
Our collective gathered alongside our associated hapū and invited guests for a full-day celebration centered around food, fire, and whakawhanaungatanga (connection).
The day began as a team effort, with the men digging the pit and building the fire while the women prepared the kai. Once the fire burned down to hot stones, the baskets were covered with wet sacks and coals to cook slowly to perfection.
While the hāngī cooked, we spent a relaxed afternoon chatting and deepening our community bonds. When the pit was uncovered, we shared an incredible feast together before spending a lovely, warm evening around the fire. It was a beautiful day of learning traditional skills, laughter, and enjoying great kai as one whānau.