Civil Contractors New Zealand Manawatū-Whanganui Branch hosted an Ambrose Golf Fundraiser Tournament and fundraiser auction for the Hawke's Bay East Coast cyclone recovery on 7 July 2023. The final amount raised from this event, through team registrations and the auction was approximately $27,000.

All proceeds of this awesome fundraiser for Hawke's Bay East Coast cyclone recovery went to the Bay View Community Charitable Trust to support community recovery throughout the Hawke's Bay region. 

Why a golf tournament?
The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast region affected many people. Within the CCNZ community, it has significantly impacted members, staff and board members. Grant Radovanovich, our Central Regional Manager, shared a presentation to members at CCNZ Branch meetings, showing the impact it had in his region. From this presentation, Jason Cryer was inspired to do more to help rebuild the Hawke’s Bay East Coast region.

Jason pitched the idea to Greg Lumsden the Manawatū – Whanganui CCNZ Branch Chairman and the committee and it was a unanimous decision that they had to do something. Within a few days the Feilding Golf Course was booked and sponsors were starting to come in. 

The support from CCNZ Manawatū-Whanganui Branch contractor members, Branch and Major Associate members was out of this world! And then there were local and national companies that supported the event that have nothing to do with the civil industry. The support really was humbling.

The scene was set at Fielding Golf club and people were invited to register teams of three with an opportunity to draft a celebrity for their team – including former All Blacks star Christian Cullen, who plays from a 2 Handicap.

People and companies were also invited to sponsor a hole, donate auction items or contribute what they could, including player prizes or team kits. There were many items donated and the auction began online a week before the golf tournament. Within 48 hours the bids were up to $4 500, and the excitement was brewing.

Thirty-six teams registered, totalling 108 players sporting creative team names such as ‘Weapons of Grass Destruction’ – a fitting name when one of the novelty holes saw golfers teeing off with a shovel! Our CCNZ team consisted of one reasonably skilled and two who thought they were better skilled at being a caddy or drink holder. But the adrenaline was pumping to be part of something that was going to make a positive impact on New Zealanders in need, no matter our skill level.

7 July arrived and it was a crisp, clear day on the golf course. There was a hive of activity with teams mingling and getting their gear prepped. After a briefing we were all sent forth to our starting holes to begin some fundraising fun. 

Soon after the second hole I realised my team was better off with me contributing to the putting side of it and being caddy, but there was much more to this day than hitting a ball. Porter Hire, The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), AB Equipment, ATD Services, Hireways and Hirepool all sponsored regular pit stops for food and refreshments, there were photo opportunities with mascots, and non-stop opportunities to network with others in the industry.

As the afternoon continued, amongst the sounds of clubs striking the golf balls at tee off and sometimes the dull thump of the grass, teams made their way back to the clubrooms to share their wins and losses over a bite to eat and more refreshments.  Thanks to Hirepool for the delicious BBQ.

It wasn’t long before the auction resumed in the clubroom, and everyone was prepared to raise as much as possible. Between Greg Lumsden and the auctioneer, Neil Ritchie, they powered through the auction items, lifting the energy in the room to keep people raising their bids. There was much laughter and competition, with cheers and attention bought to all the bidders, whilst they were raising the stakes and total funds to send to the Hawke’s Bay East Coast region.  

CCNZ has 12 regional branches across New Zealand. These branches regularly organise events for members, awards evenings, and charitable initiatives to care for and strengthen the communities they live and work in. CCNZ thanks the amazing sponsors and volunteers from each of these events.  

Photos from the event can be viewed on the CCNZ Manawatu Whanganui Branch Facebook Page>>

Some quotes from players and sponsors

“Well done with the event, such a great cause and I hope plenty was raised. (There certainly was some good and bad shots out on the course ha).”

“Awesome for TDDA to be a part of the fundraiser for Esk Valley flood recovery, nice to know we could do our wee bit. I know the rugby boys also had a good time.”

“Many thanks for putting on such a great charity event last Friday. Looking forward to seeing how much was raised.”

These amazing companies and organisations supported the event.
• Hirepool
• Z Energy
• Cableprice
• CCNZ National Office
• Hireways
• Clearview Estate Winery
• Angus McMillian Concrete
• Vine Restaurant – Taupō
• The Warriors Rugby League Club
• The Brisbane Broncos Rugby League
• Manawatū Cricket
• NZ Rugby
• NZ Rugby Players Association
• Stevenson Doors
• Steve’s Tyre Service
• Porter Hire
• Farmlands Foods
• Manawatū Rugby Union
• Attach2
• Over and Out Communications
• AJ Hackett Bungy – Taupō
• The National Distillery Company
• AA Plumbing & Gas
• Café Jacko
• Silver Fern Farms
• Total Energies
• TerraCat
• FMG
• IPLEX
• Aberdeen Restaurant

Hole number Sponsor name
1 Clarke Underground
2 First Gas
3 TDDA (The Drug Detection Agency)
4 ID Loaders
5 Emmetts Civil Construction
6 Porter Hire
7 AB Equipment
8 Downer Wanganui
9 Bullocks Group
10 ATD Services
11 First Gas
12       Hireways
13 UDC Finance
14 Village Valley Automotive
15 TDDA
16 Brownell Earthmoving
17 PlaceMakers
18 Personnel Touch, Palmerston North