German Society of New Zealand Inc. - Auckland

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Please note not all pages have been translated

was established in Auckland in 1970 by German immigrants to provide a meeting place for like-minded people and today has a membership of about 150.  It has been and remains to be the objective of the club to uphold the German language and customs and therefore German is also the club language.  Our regular events relate primarily to German traditions but at the same time we also maintain contacts with other European clubs.  Anyone who has an interest in our language and matters German can experience this with us at or events and guests of all ages are always welcome.

The President of the German Society

The AGM of the German Society was held on 5.5.2018 and a new management committee was elected as follows:

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Do you wish to become a member of the German Society?  It is not necessary to be German.  From here you can print out an Application Form for membership.  Please complete it and mail it to the address given.

The annual membership fee (for the club year 1.4. to 31.3. the following year) is:  $15 per person, youths under the age of 18 years no charge.

Management Committee

Up coming club functions for 2018

You can read about our previous functions under Past Events (below) or have a look into our Photo Gallerie.

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11. November 2018 - Spring Festival in Eden Garden, Epsom

A light rain had just started when 32 members gathered at 12 noon for our Spring Festival in Eden Garden.  The date coincided with two historical events, to which we devoted some thoughts.  The First World War was brought to a close a hundred years ago on this day and we celebrated the opening of the Berlin Wall 29 years ago, as usual, with a glass of sparkling wine.  A selection of several kinds of 'finger food' was served for lunch and then there was time for each participant to visit the garden.  Soon everyone returned back to the 'Garden Room' for coffee and cake and as it was a Spring Festival, Herbert Dreher recited some poems that were known to us from our school days.  Eden Garden fulfilled all our wishes and sparkling wine, finger food followed by coffee and cake did their part for a convivial event.

7. October 2018 - Day of German Unity, Restaurant "Sorrento", One Tree Hill

With 52 members and 4 guests we were this year a smaller gathering than usual but with an intimate feel.  After the welcome by our President, Dr. Stephan Resch, President of the Goethe Society, gave the speech.  He talked about his memories as a teenager in Germany and how the turbulent days around 1989 touched him, words that found a grateful response from many listeners.  After that we sang the German national anthem and toasted the welfare of Germany and New Zealand. Three music students, Jacquie, David and Hamish, formed the musical framework with songs by Mozart and Schubert and a rhapsody by List and earned great acclaim. The ever-coveted lunch buffet ushered in the convivial part of the celebration and offered ample opportunity for conversation.  The festive occasion ended at 3pm.

8. September 2018 -  Haxen Dinner at "Der Metz", Kohimarama

34 members were tightly seated next to each other to the Haxenessen in the lavishly decorated German restaurant "Der Metz". Not everyone took part in the huge portions of pork knuckles and regardless of their food choices, almost all participants went home with a doggy bag.  It was once again a convivial evening.

19. August 2018 - Film Afternoon in Danish House, Penrose

For our film afternoon in Danish House we showed the movie "Amadeus" from the year 1984. Based on the stage play of the same name, Mozart's life was portrayed from the point of view of Antonio Salieri. The three-hour running time was interrupted by a refreshment break with coffee and cake and 22 members spent an entertaining afternoon.

29. July 2018 - Ten Pin Bowling, Westgate
In a joint event we met again with the Austrian Club.  We were together 18 participants and played in mixed groups on three tracks. It was amazing how much fun it was and at half-time there was something to nibble.  The winner received the challenge cup and after that to a sociable coffee round.

1. July 2018 - Frühschoppen at Bricklane Restaurant, New Lynn

For our annual Frühschoppen (brunch), we met again at the Bricklane Restaurant in New Lynn.  With 14 members, our group was considerably smaller than usual, but allowed us all to sit around one table.  Luckily there was a lot of conversation, because the ordered food was a long time coming.

10. June 2018 - Mandolinata Orchestra in Danish House, Penrose

On a bleak autumn Sunday, the sonorous Mandolinata Orchestra once again delighted us with familiar and popular melodies. Bryan Holden, conductor and music director of the orchestra, invited the enthusiastic listeners to a journey across Europe with folk music, waltz and operetta sounds and explained every musical contribution with an interesting, entertaining commentary.  With delicious coffee and cake, accompanied by a chat with friends, time flew by in no time. The varied program and convivial gathering of 29 members and 20 guests guaranteed the success of a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

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15. April 2018 - Autumn Walk through Eden Garden and Refreshments by Telle

The weather did not look very good in the morning for a hike but just in time for the meeting point at the Eden Garden the rain showers disappeared and the sun was again out for us.  14 members and 2 children walked comfortably through the "Garden of Eden" in the truest sense of the word.  Some did not even know of the existence of this green gem in Auckland.  Afterwards everyone met at Helmut and Cheryl Telle for a snack.  The two had prepared different goodies, hearty and sweet.  Thus, the calories burned from the hike were back on the hip.  So what.  It was a social round and our birthday boy Henry List invited everyone to a glass of champagne.

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24. March 2018 - Federweißer with Onion Cake at Coopers Vineyard, Huapai

As already for many years, our Federweisser with onion cake ushered in the autumn.
The weather god was not quite with us this year and towards at the end of the event some of our members were getting wet feet. Despite a new record attendance of 57 people, the organizers had prepared this time and everyone could eat enough of the onion cake.  The Federweiße tasted delicious again and the plum cake rounded off the afternoon.
New this year was the musical accompaniment by the Alpenländler Trio, which played lively and also the singing along of well-known German folk songs gave everyone a lot of fun.

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3. Dec 2017 - Christmas Function, Restaurant Sorrento, One Tree Hill

The traditional Christmas party was once again the highlight in the club year.  The beautiful, festively decorated hall and tables and the German Christmas music in the background awakened many memories in our members but also anticipation of the programme.  After the welcome by our president, Barbara Steinijans as master of ceremonies led the festive programme.  The string quartet "Yid-Ee Goh" played Christmas melodies and afterwards we all sang some carols together.  Following the Christmas story and a Christmas poem, the children were handed presents by the fireplace.  As already tradition, Edelgard's grandchildren had again organized a small musical programme, which was very well received and we all sang ‘Silent Night’.  After the excellent Christmas dinner from the buffet the prizes of our Christmas raffle were drawn.  We were able to win some sponsors this year and gave away a total of 14 prizes.  The main prize, a gift basket filled with all sorts of goodies, was won by Hanni Peters. Congratulations to Hanni and a big thank you to all sponsors.

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5. Nov 2017 - Spring Festival, Auckland Botanical Gardens, Manurewa

In glorious sunshine and at almost summery temperatures, 24 members and one guest met for our spring festival in Auckland Botanical Gardens, Manurewa.  Already a tradition at this festival is a toast with a glass of sparkling wine to the opening of the Berlin Wall, now 28 years ago.  Time went quickly with coffee and home-baked cake made by some of the hardworking women from our club.  Many thanks again for very tasty cake donations.

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1. Oct 2017 - Day of German Unity, Restaurant Sorrento, One Tree Hill

To our celebration of the Day of German Unity, we especially welcomed the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in New Zealand, Dr Gerhard Thiedemann and his wife, as well as the Honorary Consul Mr Erich Bachmann.  Our invitation was also followed by representatives of the Goethe Society Auckland.  After the welcome and a brief introduction by our President Holm Schwiesselmann, Ambassador Thiedemann gave a very interesting presentation of the reunification of the two German states. Afterwards, as always, we sang the German National Anthem and proposed toasts to the welfare of the Federal Republic of Germany and New Zealand.  Our longstanding and now academic duo, Ben and Theresa delighted us with some pieces of music by Franz Schubert.  After the excellent lunch buffet, there were many possibilities for interesting discussions with our guests.  A German cake buffet with Bienenstich and Black Forest Gateau rounded the event.

16. September 2017 - Berlin Afternoon at Bärbel Claerkin

We greeted our members to the Berlin afternoon at Bärbel’s in Waiau Pa to the sound of a small barrel organ playing traditional German fair ground music.  Each guest received a table card with his/her name and a typical Berlin saying. With specialties from the German capital, such as currywurst, Hackepeter and Buletten as well as other treats, the buffet was richly stocked.  There was much laughter and chatting.

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26. August 2017 - German dining at "Der Metz', Kohimarama

After a long interval 26 members and 2 guests met up again for a typical German meal of "Schweinshaxe" in the German restaurant "Der Metz" in Kohimarama.  The meals were huge, and everyone had difficulty finishing it.  As is traditional the „Haxen“ were served with „Sauerkraut“ and mashed potatoes.  It was a cheerful gathering and everyone enjoyed it.  A successful evening!

6. August 2017 - Ten Pin Bowling, Westgate

A combined event with Austrian Club.  We were a group of 21 and four teams were formed.  The composition of the teams was mixed and couples were separated to increase competition.  A most enjoyable event and everyone had a great deal of fun.  The winning team was awarded a cup and some chocolates for everyone

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18. June 2017 - Frühschoppen in "Belgian Restaurant De Fontain", Mission Bay

To our annual Frühschoppen we met again at De Fontain.  Despite them being very busy our group of 27 members was in no hurry and had plenty of time to socialise and enjoy each others company.

8. April 2017 - Walk through and around Howick Historical Village

14 Members met in sunny weather at the Howick Historical Village.  Some visited the village right away which gave an insight into an early settlement of immigrants while others went first for a gentle walk in the surrounding park.  We met-up again at 2pm at the Heritage Café for refreshments and chats.

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18. March 2017 - Federweißer with Onion Cake at Coopers Vineyard, Huapai

It was our seventh event at Coopers Creek and this year we had a record attendance of 52.  The Federweiße was as ever a good lubricant but the onion cake did not quite meet the demand.  Still, we had an enjoyable day and in the afternoon had coffee and apple cream cake.

26. February 2017 - Concert in the Danish House, Penrose

Under the title "Melodies from home" the two Viennese musicians Susanne Reichl, piano and Bernhard Weis, violin gave a concert in the Danish House.  The programme consisted of classical pieces by Mozart, Schubert, Strauss and others and was very well received.  Prior to the start of the concert a drink and nibbles were served and during the break coffee and cookies.  The event was arranged between the Austrian Club, Danish Society and German Society and resulted in a successful evening both for the club trio and the 69 concert goers.

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12. February 2017 - Picnic and BBQ in Long Bay

Our annual picnic was held on Sunday in Long Bay and again it was a great success.  The weather was not too hot and the very short rain shower did not dampen the mood.  We were 53 members and 8 guests and enjoyed each others company and the tasty food.

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Phone

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09 418-0155

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09 263-8768

09 525-7414

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0275 933 781