German Society of New Zealand Inc. - Auckland

2025

 

6th December 2025 - Christmas celebration at Danish House, Penrose

Our Christmas party this year, our last before we close our doors, took place in the festively decorated hall of the Danish House.  With 54 members and 8 guests was the event very well attended.  Upon arrival, everyone received a small gift: a Litfaßsäule filled with Christmas cookies, two raffle tickets for the later raffle, and a glass of sparkling wine.  The Mandolinata Orchestra played background music until the welcoming by our president, Bärbel Clearkin, providing an opportunity for the participants to mingle and chat.  Jürgen Schubert guided us through the program, and we listened to the Christmas story read by Gisela Klette.  Christmas carols from the orchestra alternated with communal singing.  For the entertainment of the participants, we had the magician Stefan Sageman, who strolled through the rows, performing his tricks for those present.  Soon after, dinner was served. The Danish Society's chef prepared the feast, and everyone was delighted with its quality and variety.  The tombola brought a wonderful event to an end, and after some closing remarks the hall emptied very quickly afterwards.

 

16th November 2025 – 55th Anniversary Celebration of the German Society at McHugh’s Cheltenham

The German Society was founded in early November 1970, and this was a perfect reason for us to celebrate our 55th anniversary with a celebratory dinner.  Forty-four members gathered at McHugh’s in Cheltenham for the occasion.  The restaurant's location alone was magnificent, with a stunning view of the beach and Hauraki Gulf, and the weather was absolutely perfect.  President Bärbel Clearkin welcomed the guests, and soon after, the buffet was opened, offering a wide selection of dishes.  The food was delicious and fostered a convivial atmosphere.  Only positive comments were heard, and the first members began their journeys home around 2:30 p.m., clearly very satisfied.

 

 

​​12th October 2025 - Celebrating the day of German Unity in Restaurant 'Sorrento', One Tree Hill

We celebrated the 35th anniversary of the German re-unification in a well attended and again festive gathering at the restaurant ’Sorrento in the Park’.  Our President, Bärbel Clearkin, opened the ceremony and welcomed the guests.  Jürgen Schubert delivered the keynote speech on the topic: "Looking back on the development of the Soviet occupation zone and the subsequent GDR". Gisela Klette followed with a poem fitting for the day: "Ode to Joy" by Friedrich Schiller.  Ludwig van Beethoven set it to music; it is part of the last movement of his 9th Symphony and also the anthem of the European Union.

Afterwards, we toasted the health of the Federal Republic of Germany and New Zealand with a glass of sparkling wine and sang the German national anthem.  The string quartet "Vintage Violins" provided musical accompaniment, concluding the formal event with several classical pieces.  The buffet lunch was soon served, and the subsequent coffee and cake, some of which were provided by our baker, encouraged personal exchange and brought the event to a close.

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14th September 2025 – High Tea at Waipuna Hotel, Mt Wellington

It was our first ‘High Tea’ event, and 33 participants gathered at Wellington's restaurant in Waipuna Hotel in Mt Wellington.  We sat at two long tables with plenty of space to get up and greet friends.  The day was sunny, and we had a beautiful view of Panmure Basin. High tea itself consisted of a selection of savory dishes, sandwiches, and sweets served on a 3-tier stand, along with an extensive selection of many teas.  The quantities were very generous, and the overall presentation was elegant.  It was always a welcome opportunity to meet and renew friendships, making it a successful afternoon.

 

17th August 2025 – Frühschoppen at Brew on Quay, Akl City

Due to the good transport links, we met for our Frühschoppen or morning pint at Brew on Quay in Quay Street.  A group of 11 members had gathered, and everyone appreciated the reunion, especially since a previous event had to be canceled.  We were seated a bit away from the main hub and were therefore amongst ourselves.  The "special" of the day on the menu was a traditional roast dinner with Yorkshire pudding, and it was the choice of almost everyone (we hadn't had that in a long time).  After extensive conversations and fortified by food and drink, our gathering came to an end around 2:30 p.m.​

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​15th June 2025 – Haxenessen at 'Der Metz', Kohimarama

It is some time ago since we went for a Haxenessen at the restaurant 'Der Metz'.  We met at 3pm and our group of 34 members filled the entire room.  All the walls were lavishly decorated with pictures, posters, and ornaments demonstrating the connection to Germany.  It took quite a while for the food to be served, and the portions were gigantic.  Not everyone participated in the Haxenessen, and many members chose other dishes from the menu.  After the main course, apple strudel was served, and here, too, the portion size was generous, with many taking the piece home.  The breaks in between were long and provided plenty of opportunity for conversation.  Very well fed, the first guests departed around 7 pm, many carrying doggy bags with them.​

 

30th March 2025 – Onion cake with punch in the home of Bärbel

Onion cake eating has been part of our event program for years. The accompanying Federweißer is no longer available, so punch was a substitute. Like last year, our president opened her spacious house with a beautiful view of the Manukau Harbour. The journey there in glorious weather alone was like a short weekend trip to the countryside. Including our hostess, we were a group of 24 members, and we were welcomed by Erich Schrey from “Sounds of Europe” with tunes we all knew. Eating and drinking with musical accompaniment is always a good recipe for conviviality. The onion cake was moist and the punch delicious. Soon after, plum crumble cake with coffee was served, all on the finest crockery. Another very successful event, and it would never be possible without the hard work and dedication that went in the background, even days before. Our thanks go to the hostess and all the helpers who made this a success.​

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28th February 2025 - Picnic and BBQ in the Botanical Garden, Manurewa

It was very warm and beautiful summer weather when we met in the Botanical Garden.  We had the use of the Logan Campbell House, but sat outside and there were 19 participants in total.  The committee provided an extensive selection of salads and fried the sausages.  Afterwards, coffee and cake were served and our pastry chef provided Schillerlocken.  There was plenty for everyone.  A sculpture exhibition in the extensive garden was coming to an end and some brave walkers set off to view the displays.  Several participants had already said goodbye earlier and the last ones made their way home around 3 p.m.  Conclusion: another very successful event with good food, good company and good weather.

 

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