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Diamonds and wine: Hospice gets $560,000 from two record fundraising events

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 20:10 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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Hawkes Bay Community Rallies to Raise Record $560,000 for Cranford Hospice

In a remarkable display of local generosity, a Hawkes Bay‑wide wine auction and a Rotary Club fundraising night together generated a record‑breaking $560,000 for Cranford Hospice. The two events, held in the weeks of March and April, surpassed the charity’s previous high of $480,000 and will secure the hospice’s continued ability to provide compassionate palliative care to patients in the Napier and Hawke’s Bay region.

The Wine Auction – A Toast to Compassion

The first of the two events, a charity wine auction held on 18 March at the Wairarapa River Hotel in Wairarapa, was organised by the Hawkes Bay Wine Association and the Cranford Hospice Fundraising Committee. In a bid that took the region by storm, over 120 bottles of local and international wines were auctioned to the highest bidders. The auction attracted more than 200 attendees – from vineyard owners and local dignitaries to families who have been cared for at Cranford over the years.

Key moments from the auction included:

• Top Bidder: Sir John McKenzie, a local business magnate, closed the auction with a bid of $35,000 for a 2009 Sauternes from Château d’Yquem. “I’ve always loved this wine, and it’s the perfect way to give back to the people who make the Napier community a better place,” McKenzie said.
• Silent Auction Highlights: Several local restaurants and artisans donated services and products, adding to the total of $312,000 raised. These included a private cooking class with a Michelin‑starred chef, a bespoke jewellery piece from the Hawke’s Bay Jewellery Guild, and a weekend stay at a boutique vineyard resort.
• Media Attention: The event was covered by The New Zealand Herald and local TV stations, with a feature segment highlighting the personal stories of patients and families who have been part of Cranford’s history.

The auction raised an impressive $302,000, more than 30% above the 2023 target. The money will be earmarked for “critical upgrades to the hospice’s neonatal care unit and the purchase of a new digital health monitoring system that will allow nurses to track patients’ vital signs more accurately.”

Rotary Night – The Power of a Community

The second event, the Rotary Night, took place on 21 April at the Napier Rotary Club’s banquet hall. Rotary International’s local chapter, known as Rotary Club of Hawkes Bay, is a longstanding supporter of Cranford Hospice, and this year’s gala saw an attendance of over 400 guests, including former governors, local politicians, and prominent community members.

Highlights from Rotary Night included:

• Charity Ball: The evening began with a live jazz band, followed by a formal dinner featuring a menu created by Napier’s top chefs. The dinner’s proceeds, along with the costs of a silent auction, contributed to the total of $258,000 raised.
• Silent Auction: Items ranged from a weekend cruise in the Bay of Plenty to a custom-designed sculpture by a local artist. A significant portion of the proceeds – 70% – came from a “Family Day” dinner package, underscoring the strong connection between the community and the hospice.
• Speech by Dr. Angela King: “Cranford Hospice is more than a facility; it’s a sanctuary for families during their most difficult moments. The generosity we’ve received today will help us expand our support services, including a new counseling wing and a hospice outreach program for rural communities,” Dr. King remarked, citing the urgent need for expanded services in the region.

Rotary’s contribution of $258,000 brings the total to $560,000 – a new record for the hospice, which has been raising funds since 2009. The record-breaking figure also places Cranford Hospice among the top ten most funded hospices in New Zealand for the year.

What the Funds Will Achieve

Cranford Hospice’s executive director, Ms. Louise Hart, expressed gratitude and outlined the next steps:

“The money raised will go straight into the hands of our care team. We plan to purchase an upgraded patient monitoring system, refurbish the neonatal unit, and fund a new ‘Palliative Care in the Community’ outreach program that brings hospice services to rural families who would otherwise have to travel to Napier.”

The hospice, founded in 1988, has long been a cornerstone of Hawkes Bay’s health services. The facility offers a full spectrum of palliative care, from in‑house nursing to after‑care support for families. According to the Cranford Hospice website, the hospice serves over 1,500 patients annually and has a dedicated volunteer program that provides emotional support and companionship.

A Community Effort

Both events demonstrated the power of a united community. In a post‑event survey, 92% of attendees cited “supporting a local cause” as a primary motivator, while 85% said they would attend similar events in the future. The fundraising success has also inspired other local organisations to host similar charity events, with the Hawkes Bay Agricultural Society planning a “Harvest Gala” later this summer.

For those interested in contributing further or learning more about Cranford Hospice’s mission, the hospice’s official website offers a simple online donation platform and detailed information on volunteer opportunities. The Rotary Club of Hawkes Bay maintains a page dedicated to its philanthropic initiatives, and the Hawkes Bay Wine Association highlights its ongoing partnership with local charities.

Final Thoughts

The record‑breaking $560,000 raised at the wine auction and Rotary Night underscores Hawkes Bay’s commitment to caring for its most vulnerable residents. By combining the passion of local vintners, the dedication of Rotary volunteers, and the compassion of community members, Cranford Hospice has secured a brighter, more equipped future for those in need of palliative care. As the hospice prepares to implement these upgrades, the community’s heartwarming generosity serves as a reminder that, together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of others.