February Newsletter 2025
by Kate Michell | February 23, 2025
February Newsletter Header Banner
Group of people walking
 In this newsletter:
🚶‍♀️Getting Festival fit and ready
✅Yoga, Hike Club by Patience Scarles
👣Island Direct  – Walk this way….
😍Our Local Board
🎉Named walk Sponsors at this year’s Festival
✅Ecofest
🔆Our Sponsors in the spotlight
🚦Go Media
🍾Competition WINNER announcement
⏰The countdown is on…
Getting Festival fit and ready
With just 4 weeks to go until our first walk – now is the time to get Festival fit and ready.  Here is an amazing ‘Festival bulletproofing’ programme designed by our much loved Ambassador Sarah Gloyer (Trail Tribe Waiheke).  Check it out here:
Trail tribe:
📸 Sarah Gloyer
Coastal Connection Yoga Hike-Club by Patience Scarles
This amazing walk on Sunday 30 March aims to bring people together who enjoy a beautiful walk followed by a nourishing yoga session in the beautiful outdoor space at Little Oneroa Beach.
Patience practices yoga as a means of self care; for its ability to energise the body, release excess tension and quiet the mind – even when living in a busy city environment.
Her goal is to make yoga accessible to all. It’s not about flexibility, or whether you can touch your toes or make shapes – it’s about exploring your body and bringing a sense of calm to the mind.
If you like the sound of a commitment free community of yoga-lovers, hikers & outdoorsy folk who love to be out in nature then this is the one for you!
Image of people standing on the beach
📸 Sonja Read 
Hey there, all you last-minute-dot-coms! We know who you are – the ones who thrive on that adrenaline rush of leaving everything to the eleventh hour. Well, we’ve got news for you: March and April on the island are pretty busy months! With a flurry of our events and wedding season in full swing, it’s like a mad dash to secure your ferry spot🛥️.
But fear not,  for we come bearing a solution that will save the day (and your walk choice)! Say hello to Island Direct – your trusty companion in times of chaos. Now, we know what you’re thinking – “Surely last-minute bookings come with a price tag as hefty as my to-do list.” Well, hold onto your hats because here’s the best part: booking a seat through Island Direct comes at no extra cost!
That’s right – you get the ease and convenience of securing your spot without breaking the bank. And let us tell you, Island Direct is not just your run-of-the-mill ferry service. They are pretty amazing (did we mention amazing Sponsors too), if we do say so ourselves. Don’t believe us? Just take a peek at their reviews – glowing testimonials from satisfied customers who have experienced the magic of Island Direct firsthand
So, for all you thrill-seekers who love to live life on the edge (of deadlines), let’s make a pact this season to think ahead, be proactive, and book through Island Direct. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later when walking and in full admiration of the epic sights of Waiheke.
Here’s to keeping calm, booking smart, and embracing the chaos with a knowing smile.
Cheers to you, Island Direct, for saving the day for all us last-minute heroes! 🦸‍♀️🦹‍♀️
We are incredibly fortunate to have a local board that goes above and beyond in supporting our community in so many ways.

One of the many reasons we value our local board is their long-term support of the Waiheke Festival which has helped make it the huge success it is today, bringing joy to our community and visitors alike year after year.In addition to their support of the Waiheke Festival, our local board members have played a crucial role in the development of long term track development which has made a significant impact on our community’s well-being. Thanks to their efforts, we can all enjoy the Island’s beauty while staying active and connected.

Thank you Cath, Fiona and everyone at the Local Board, for your outstanding service and commitment, we are super grateful for everything you do.

 
WHO ARE OUR MUCH LOVED NAMED WALK SPONSORS AT
 THIS YEARS FESTIVAL?
 
Please look out for these stunning walks:
 1. **Peter Rees Mobile Phone Photography**: Capture the beauty of Whakanewha through the lens of your mobile phone with expert tips and tricks from island legend Peter Rees. Learn how to turn your ordinary snapshots into stunning masterpieces!  SOLD OUT.
2. **Glowing Sky – Coast to Coast walk** 💫A fabulous walk from coast to coast, showcasing the insane beauty of Waiheke.  BOOK NOW for you and a friend and make a day of it!💫  https://www.waihekewalkingfestival.org/walk/2528a-coast-to-coast-walk/
3. **Free the Tree Discover Motutapu✨**: Explore the wonders of Motutapu Island and be guided on an adventure to discover rare wildlife and the history of this pristine natural paradise. ONLY 3 SPACES REMAIN. https://www.waihekewalkingfestival.org/walk/2527b-free-the-tree-discover-and-explore-motutapu/
 4. **Oyster Inn – Coastal Vistas and Garden Delights✨**: Prepare your eyes and your tummies for a walk that will delight all your senses! LIMITED SPACES REMAIN:  https://www.waihekewalkingfestival.org/walk/2521c-oyster-inn-coastal-vistas-and-garden-delights/
📸 Sarah Gloyer
 
Heard of ECOFEST?
EcoFest is a month-long celebration of the unique environment of Tāmaki Makaurau. Four Auckland eco hubs have come together to organise this festival, which has more than a decade of history and is now going regional.
​EcoFest is a grassroots festival that offers local change-makers a chance to share their skills and ideas, championing our local environment, supporting collaboration and celebrating the importance of community. With over 90 years of environmental action combined, the EcoFest organisers have a wealth of knowledge to share on all things sustainability.
​The EcoFest programme is packed with events, activities, installations and workshops for people of all ages and at any stage of their sustainability journey. From composting workshops to silent disco clean-ups, EcoFest’s aim is to make sustainability fun and accessible, inspiring people to make simple changes to reduce their impact on the environment.
The Waiheke Walking Festival is proud to offer a series of guided walks as part of the EcoFest programme:
  • DARK SKY – Night Sky Walk (23 March)
  • Onetangi Water Walk with Wellbeing Coach – Mel Burdett (24 March)
  • Family Friendly Nature Loop Adventure with Talking Tree Hill (23 March)
  • Island Direct & Wisca Dog Walk – Heart of Omiha pawsome adventure (24 March)
  • Coastal Connection Hike & Yoga by Patience Scarles (25 March)
We’d love you to join us  https://www.waihekewalkingfestival.org/
SPONSORS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
People walking through the bush
Thanks to our Supporting Partners GO Media.  Please look out for these sensational billboards which are being showcased around the Auckland area.  We think they look amazing and bring a touch of Island magic to the city!
Aside from our amazing GO Media Hooks Bay Magic walk (now sadly all SOLD OUT) is our love for the Go Media company ethos!  Proud Kiwi’s and passionate supporters of the communities and giving back in the areas they operate in.  We are so grateful to have you as onboard and very humbled!  Thank you Andrea, Mike & Dean.
If you have any outdoor media requirements, GO Media are the go to’s!
Ta da!  Announcing our COMPETITION WINNER!!!!!!
Congratulations for new Island resident P Lynch for winning our fabulous February social media competition.  We hope you enjoy your luxury accommodation, friendly ferry passes, boutique wine tasting and of course your walk with us!
Special thanks to our AMAZING Sponsors STAY WAIHEKE, ISLAND DIRECT and POSTAGE STAMP
…and we’re counting down so please book NOW!  It’s getting very close…can’t wait to meet you all .
Stay tuned for more updates and announcements in the coming days and weeks ahead! We look forward to walking with you.
The Waiheke Walking Festival Team
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Our Sponsors

We couldn’t run this festival without the support of our Sponsors, Funders and Supporters. The Waiheke Walking Festival would like to thank all of our sponsors and funders. Support our supporters to show your thanks too.

Presenting Partner
Principal Funders
Major Sponsors
Supporting Partners