D E S C H A K E L. Nieuwskrant van de Federatie van NZ Netherlands Societies ISSN

DE SCHAKEL

Nieuwskrant van de Federatie van NZ Netherlands Societies www.netherlands-societies.co.nz ISSN 2230-3456

Augustus/September 2014

Achttiende Jaargang - Nummer 5

Whangarei

Auckland Hamilton Rotorua New Plymouth Wanganui Wairarapa Palmerston North Wellington

Christchurch

Inhoud: Pa g i n a ’ s 2 & 3 :

Va n d e Vo o r z i t te r Va n d e A m b a s s a d e Va n d e A m b a s s a d e ve r vo l g Va n d e S e c ret a re s s e

Pa g i n a ’ s 4 & 5 :

Va n d e F S N Tr u st Va n d e Net h e r l a n d s S o c i et y Wa n g a n u i Va n U i t b u n d i g e Vre u g d e tot D i e p e Rouw Pa g i n a ’ s 6 & 7 : Ve rk l a r i n g Z i j n e M a j e ste i t D e Ko n i n g Va n d e A m b a s s a d e Va n d e V i c e P re s i d e n t Z u i d Eiland Pa g i n a ’ s 8 & 9 : Va n d e C h r i st ch u rch S o c i et y Va n d e Au ck l a n d S o c i et y Va n d e Au ck l a n d S o c i et y - ve r vo l g Va n d e S e c ret a re s s e ve r vo l g

Van de Voorzitter - Kees Dorresteijn At Queen’s birthday weekend four Societies sent their teams to Marton to play for the Federation Klaverjas Cup.The Taranaki Society organised this event and it was also their team that became the winners in this competition. Thanks to the members of the Taranaki club for organising this event and congratulations. The names of the winners are: L Schrader; B Roodbeen; N L’Ami and J Bellamore. At the end of June our Ambassador and Patron of our Federation has returned to the Netherlands for his retirement. He and his wife have visited several of the Societies just before their departure and some photos are published elsewhere in this magazine. We wish them well in their retirement. Also in June Dawn and I have celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. After nearly 20 years as Treasurer, Tony van der Storm has decided to call it quits. I would like to thank Tonny for her contribution to the Federation and wish her well for the future. Elly Zentveld who had been Secretary for the Federation for 13 years stepped down at last year’s ANCM and is now very ill in Palmerston North hospital. On the 15th of July Dawn and I paid her a visit and wished her well. We also had lunch at the hospital with our granddaughter who works as a student at the radiation department. Kees Dorresteijn

Van de Ambassade

Pa g i n a ’ s 10 & 11 : U i t s l a g e n Fe d e r a t i o n Nieuwe Nederlandse ambassadeur voor Nieuw-Zeeland C u p 2 014 Nadat wij in juni afscheid genomen hebVa n d e We l l i n g to n ben van Ambassadeur Arie van der Wiel S o c i et y Pa g i n a ’ s 12 & 13 : 5 0 Ye a r s i n N Z f i n a l part 5 0 Ye a r s i n N Z ve r vo l g f i n a l p a r t Pa g i n a 14 : A d d re s s e s S o c i et i e s D e We g K w i j t C o n t a c t s E xe c u t i ve s

en zijn vrouw Mathilda van Heugten na hun bijna 4 jaar durende plaatsing in Nieuw-Zeeland wachten wij op zijn opvolger.

Op 14 augustus 2014 hopen wij de nieuwe ambas sadeur de heer R.W. (Rob) Zaagman en zijn vrouw Monique Zaagman-Bos in Wellington welkom te mogen heten. Tot zijn overplaatsing is de heer Zaagman consul-generaal in München, Duitsland. Van 2008 tot 2010 was hij ambassadeur voor Internationale Organisaties in Nederland en tussen 2004 en 2008 plaatsvervangend directeur van het Kabinet der Koningin (beide met standplaats Den Haag). Voordien was hij ambassaderaad aan de Nederlandse ambassade in Londen (2001 – 2004) en eerste secretaris van de Nederlandse Permanente Vertegenwoordiging bij de Verenigde Naties in New York (1996 – 2001).

The editor always acts in good faith when publishing material supplied by others and does not accept any liability for inaccuracies or for unsubstantiated statements, and reserves the right to hold over any material which could discredit the name of the Federation, or which contravenes any New Zealand laws pertaining to that material or which due to lack of space, cannot be placed in the current or requested issue. “De Schakel”

Augustus/September 2014 - 2

Dutchtextile.nl The one and only Dutch farmers handkerchief. Available as a handkerchief and so much more....! Visit our webshop: www.dutchtextile.nl

Van de Ambassade - vervolg Na zijn studies internationaal recht (doctoraal) en geschiedenis (kandidaats) aan de Universiteit Utrecht werkte Rob Zaagman als docent internationaal recht aan de rechtenfaculteit van de Universiteit Utrecht (1986 – 1987). Van 1974 tot 1978 diende hij in het Nederlandse leger als tank- en inlichtingenofficier. Als reserveofficier bereikte hij de rang van ritmeester (kapitein). Met zijn vrouw Monique Zaagman-Bos heeft hij twee volwassen kinderen. In zijn vrije tijd leest hij graag boeken over geschiedenis, kijkt met zijn telescoop naar de sterren of speelt een partijtje golf.

Van de Secretaresse - Anne-Marie Knibbeler Winter is well and truly upon us; as I write this it’s cold and overcast here in Stokes Valley, Wellington. I hope you’re warm and cosy when your read this. Reina Vijselaar, our webmaster, has added a new section to the Federation website “Latest News”. This contains links to posters and messages that arrive after the De Schakel deadline, and that are of general interest. At present, there’s a link to the upcoming performance of Doetie Keizer’s as well as some photos of the Ambassador’s farewell at the Wellington clubrooms, and the results of the Klaverjas tournament. Preparations are under way for the ANCM in Rotorua on 18 October. Clubs will receive the audited accounts and a draft amended Constitution by the end of July so they can discuss the remits during committee meetings over the next months. World Press Photo is in New Zealand again; in Christchurch on from 2-27 August and in Wellington from 30 August until 21 September (which happens to be Tulip Sunday in the Botanic Gardens in Wellington, too!). Check it out! Also, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the famous Dutch conductor Edo de Waart, will play Mozart violin concert no. 4 and Mahler symphony no 9 on 8 August in Wellington, 12 August in Christchurch, 14 August in Hamilton and on 15 August in Hamilton. Go to www.nzso.co.nz for details. With warm greetings, Anne-Marie Knibbeler “De Schakel”


Van de FSN Trust FSN Trust Update Last week I received the news that Elly Zendtveld had fallen ill and was taken to hospital. On behalf of the FSN Trust and Network we did send flowers and a card with our best wishes to Elly. Because of her ill health she had to resign as secretary of the FSN Trust. Elly has been secretary of the trust for many years. I would like to thank her for all her time, effort and input she spent on the FSN trust over all these years. She was an excellent secretary who never missed a deadline and always reminded everyone of things to be done. On behalf of the FSN Trust and the FSN Network, I would like to wish Elly and her family all the best for the future. Anne-Marie Knibbeler who joined our Trust recently has agreed to take over the secretarial duties in the interim. Regards Jos Jongenelen

Chairman of the Trust

Van de Netherlands Society Wanganui Ongelooflijk de eerste helft van 2014 al weer voorbij. En een goed begin als ik zo naar buiten kijk, met het zonnetje erbij. Dinner bij het Brickhouse was weer gezellig. Dank je Connie, fijn dat alles weer zo goed geregeld was. Dik voor elkaar. ‘tBegin van de maand waren we bij elkaar als bestuur. En hier volgt wat we zoal besloten hebben: 13 Aug at the Marist Hall: Soep en Broodjes verzorgt door het bestuur ongeveer 12 uur. Maar eerst om 10 uur koffie, ASB breng iets mee voor bij de koffie. Ook doen we zoals gebruikelijk onze spelletjes, Biljarten, Rummy-Cup, Klaverjassen of gewoon eventjes bijpraten. 21 September Tulpen Festival in Wellington. Zou het niet leuk zijn om daar met elkaar naar toe te gaan. Dat is dan als het mooi weer is. Als er genoeg animo is van onze leden, willen we dit proberen te organizeren. We zullen enige members bereid moeten vinden die met vertrouwen de rit heen en terug naar Wellington kunnen rijden. Ja er moet het een en ander geregeld worden. Als het wat mee loopt zou het best een mooie dag kunnen worden. 8 October in de Marist Hall Games-morgen 18 October Wanganui Culture Day. We willen ook graag dit jaar onze kleuren weer laten zien. Deze keer is ‘t plan om alleen olieballen te bakken en te verkopen. Misschien zou het leuk zijn te laten zien hoe ze gebakken worden. De ANCM is dit jaar in Rotorua. We hopen dat ook dit jaar Wanganui vertegenwoordigd zal zijn. Als je Zaterdag ‘s morgens in Wanganui over de markt loopt, zijn daar allerlei soorten kraampjes. Maar de meest bezochte kraam voor ons is die met de Rood-Wit-Blauwe vlag, waar allerhande Hollandse producten te koop zijn. Groetjes, Riekie

Advertentie “At Sluithek B&B we focus on older migrants from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa who migrated in the fifties and sixties and now want to see their relatives. Leusden is ideally located in the center of the country and thus provides an excellent base for family visits. For them Sluithek B&B can be their temporary home in the old country.” The website of the B&B is: www.sluithekbnb.nl “De Schakel”


Van Uitbundige Vreugde tot Diepe Rouw Volop werd er door Koning Willem-Alexander en Koningin Maxima meegeleefd met het succes van het Nederlnds Elftal bij het wereld kampioenschap voetballen afgelopen juni in Brazilië, wat waren we trots op ons Koningspaar!!

En toen was daar die verschrikkelijke aanval op een passagiers vliegtuig met allemaal vrolijke mensen aan boord die òf fijn op weg waren naar hun vakantiebestemming òf op de terugweg naar huis na een fijne vakantie. 298 mensen kwamen hierbij om het leven, waaronder 194 Nederlanders.

Zoals de afgelopen week is gebleken na de afschuwelijke ramp met het vliegtuig van Malaysia Airlines, is er ook een andere kant aan het Koningschap, één van diepe rouw, intens medeleven en immens verdriet. “Willem en Maxima” uiten niet alleen samen grote vreugde, maar delen ook samen hun verdriet, ten aanzien van de hele wereld.

Ook in het verre Nieuw Zeeland leven Nederlanders mee met de nabestaanden van de slachtoffers. Wij wensen u allen veel sterkte. De Redaktie “De Schakel”

Augustus/September2014 - 5

Verklaring Zijne Majesteit De Koning Korte verklaring van Zijne Majesteit de Koning na de nabestaandenbijeenkomst in Nieuwegein, 21 juli 2014 21 juli 2014 Vanmiddag kwam een grote groep nabestaanden bij elkaar van de slachtoffers van de vliegramp in het oosten van Oekraïne. Mijn vrouw en ik waren daarbij. Wij zijn diep geraakt door de schrijnende, persoonlijke verhalen van mensen die dierbaren hebben verloren. Mensen wier leven in scherven ligt. Hun verdriet, hun onmacht en hun wanhoop snijden ons door de ziel. Veel mensen zeiden ons: “Wij willen tenminste waardig afscheid kunnen nemen van onze dierbaren.” We begrijpen hun frustratie en hun gekwetstheid. En we delen hun innige wens dat er klaarheid komt over de oorzaak van deze ramp. We weten dat hun verlies niet meer goed te maken is. Het verdriet is immens. Het enige dat wij vandaag konden doen, is bij hen zijn en luisteren naar hun verhaal. De afgelopen dagen zijn overal in het land mensen bij elkaar gekomen. Ook in de komende tijd zal dat gebeuren. In bedrijven. Op scholen. Bij sportverenigingen. En in huiskamers overal in Nederland. Mensen laten elkaar niet los. Dat is vooral van belang in deze dagen, nu ons land zo op de proef wordt gesteld en zoveel landgenoten overweldigd zijn door verdriet. Dat wij elkaar vasthouden. Dat wij elkaar steunen en opvangen waar mogelijk. En dat we ons hart openstellen voor iedereen die zijn of haar verhaal wil delen. Nu, maar ook in de maanden en jaren die volgen. Ik wil graag mijn waardering uitspreken voor al die mensen die zich bekommeren om de getroffenen. Familie, vrienden, buren, collega’s, clubgenoten. U bent zo nodig nu! Ik wil ook mijn waardering uiten voor de honderden professionals die ondersteunen bij de vele droevige en moeilijke taken die moeten worden verricht. Mijn vrouw en ik leven mee met alle getroffenen die in rouw zijn gedompeld. In gedachten zijn we bij hen. Dat geldt evenzeer voor mijn moeder en de overige leden van mijnfamilie die zich in deze donkere dagen extra nauw met het land verbonden voelen. Deze vreselijke ramp heeft een diepe wond geslagen in onze samenleving. Het litteken zal zichtbaar en voelbaar blijven. Tot in lengte van jaren. In diepste nood komt het aan op innerlijke kracht, compassie en onderlinge verbondenheid. Het zijn die eigenschappen waar ons land op cruciale momenten over blijkt te beschikken.

Van de Nederlandse Ambassade MOZART Violin Concerto No. 4 en MAHLER Symphony No. 9 With Free pre-concert talks – 45 minutes prior Fri 8 August WELLINGTON Michael Fowler Centre 6.30pm Tue 12 August CHRISTCHURCH CBS Canterbury Arena 7.00pm Thu 14 August HAMILTON Founders Theatre 7.30pm Fri 15 August AUCKLAND Town Hall 7.00pm Superstar conductor Edo de Waart, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Mahler’s death defying Ninth Symphony come together for an epic night in the concert hall this August. Nobody leads Mahler like conducting colossus Edo de Waart’and the NZSO will thrill when he takes to the podium. Plus, phenomenal young Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma makes her New Zealand debut with Mozart’s Fourth Violin Concerto. She’s gaining fame around the world as a rising classical

star. Experience her brilliance with this exuberant and much-loved work, which dazzles with life. Be overwhelmed by the transcendent music of Mahler and Mozart with the NZSO.

For ticket details go to www.nzso.co.nz “De Schakel”


Van de Vice-President Zuid Eiland - Marian Martens Farewell to His Excellency the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr Arie van der Wiel and Mrs Mathilde van der Wiel On Saturday 31 May there was an afternoon tea for Arie van der Wiel who is retiring after having served as Ambassador in New-Zealand for four years. Marina Wijlaars presented the couple with a nice present on behalf of the members of the Netherlands Society from Christchurch. We want to thank him for all the support and advice he has given us and we wish them well for the future. It was a very special afternoon because a naturalisation ceremony took place for seven young people who received Dutch nationality from the Ambassador. This ceremony was witnessed by their families, the Netherlands Honorary Consul, Mr Gerard van Looy, his wife Helen, and some of the NSC committee members.

Photo kindly provided by Ms Quynh Tran

WK Voetbal 2014 Wat hebben wij genoten van de WK dit jaar, geweldige wedstrijden, erg spannend allemaal!!! Hier nog een keer de uitslagen:

• • • • • • •

Spanje-Nederland 1-5 Australie-Nederland 2-3 Chili-Nederland 0-2 Mexico-Nederland 1-2 Kwart-finale Costa Rica-Nederland 0-0 (Nederland wint met penalty schieten) Halve finale Argentinie-Nederland 0-0 (Argentinie wint met penalty schieten) Brazilie-Nederland 0-3 Nederland is geeindigd op de 3e plaats. Jammer dat ze geen kampioen zijn geworden, volgende keer beter. Iedereen was uitgenodigd in de Everglades voor ontbijt (gebakken eitjes met spek) om samen de wedstrijden te kijken op het grote scherm. Veel mensen kwamen kijken en het was heel erg gezellig. All dressed up and ready for breakfast and the game at the Everglades. Mr and Mrs Gerard van Westerhoven and a ‘’sneeky peeky” Arda Hogendoorn. (Foto: Isabel van den Berg)

“De Schakel”


Van de Christchurch Society Next year the NSC will celebrate its 50th anniversary and with this in mind the committee has decided to organise a ‘Thanks Giving’ Luncheon for the past committee members. We think that these people have given so much of their spare time and their input should be awarded. The problem is that because of various reasons, one of which is the earthquakes, many people have left Canterbury without leaving a forwarding address. Perhaps through an article in “De Schakel” people throughout New Zealand will read this announcement and pass on to ex members of the Christchurch Club that their attendance during this luncheon would be greatly appreciated. Others who know of ex-Christchurch members could perhaps inform them. On behalf of the NSC committee I like to thank you for your assistance. The luncheon will take place on Sunday, 14 September, at the Everglades, 637 Marshland Road, Christchurch. Welcome at 11am with coffee and cake to be followed at 1pm by a luncheon catered for by ‘Le Traiteur Of Merivale’. RSVP 2 September, telephone 03 325 2724 or email [email protected] Yoka Saris

Van de Auckland Society ANNUAL Auckland PRESIDENT REPORT 2014 Members of the New Zealand Netherlands Society Oranje Auckland incorporated. This is my second year as your President completed. The last two years have been a challenging time for the society in regards to gaining new members. There have more members departed than arrived. We welcome those who have joined the Society in the last two years and I trust that you will become active members to keep the Society alive. To me, there seemed to be a great apathy towards the Dutch Heritage amongst us. Our predecessors have worked hard to establish our Society and to promote our Heritage and culture in New Zealand. Has their work been in vain I wonder? Are we ashamed to be of Dutch Heritage? I don’t think we have any reason to be ashamed of our Heritage. The Dutch are well respected amongst the New Zealanders. We are known to be hard workers and have contributed with a variety of talents to the New Zealand economy. In general we have nothing to be ashamed of. So why is it so difficult to show a united front? Our predecessors have established Holland House to be a meeting place for the Dutch. This place is a great asset that needs to be used and maintained by the Dutch. It must be a landmark of which we all should be proud off. It should be a home for us, our children and our grandchildren, a vision our predecessors had. We need to protect and build on this foundation. Your Committee has been working hard the past two years to get better use out of Holland House. We are blessed that we can share this building with the Hungarian Club, which helps us with keeping our budget in the black. We have had people renting the place for private functions, such as wedding anniversaries and birthday parties. We like to see this use increase in the future. Please help us to promote Holland House in this way amongst your family and friends. We have two affiliated groups that use Holland House on a regular basis for their meetings and give us an annual donation towards the cost of use. Not only that, but this past year they have also come forward to help us out in the kitchen when we did not have the people to staff the kitchen. As President, this kind of action is heart warming and a sign of unity for the common good of the Society. Both these affiliated groups, the FSN and the Auckland Dutch Dancers need more members to stay effective in promoting their work in our Society and the community at large. We are happy with the place the monthly Dutch Market takes, in promoting Holland House. It has become the social gathering of the month for eleven months of the year. Every month I have seen new faces. People meet up with friends they have not seen for a long time and also make new friends over a cup of coffee with speculaas or oliebollen, croketten, bitterballen, poffertjes and broodje haring. Thanks to the stall holders that turn up every month to make the market a success. Keep on promoting the monthly Market on the second Saturday of the month except for January. “De Schakel”


Van de Auckland Society - vervolg We are working on getting a deck out the back of Holland House to be able to provide a place for the overflow on Market days. And for the annual BBQ. It will also be attractive for people wanting to rent the place for a BBQ meal/ party with family and friends It is the tradition that we celebrate each year King’s Birthday, Saint Nicolas and Christmas together with non members of the community at-large. The past two years we have celebrated Kings Birthday in Holland house. This year we attached a children’s free market to the traditional Kingsday celebration as a trial and to also do something for the children of our members. It was enjoyed by the children, parents and grand parents alike. We have learned from the experience’s hope to do even better next year. Saint Nicolas celebrations take a lot of planning. For a number of years we have had the same team doing the job very well. We are great-full for the volunteers outside our committee who help each year to make this event a successful one. Again this is an event for the children as well as for the parents. Christmas is celebrated in two ways. First we have Christmas Dinner at Waipuna Lodge, organised by the FSN committee with our support. This is always well attended and enjoyed by all. The second way is a combined Christmas Church Service at Saint Patricks in Newton each year, again organised by the FSN committee with our support and the support of the Rederijkers. We could do with a greater attendance at both celebrations. Both celebrations are family orientated. These occasions are an opportunity for parents to introduce their children to the Dutch traditions and culture. This year we thought to introduce two other events to bring the Dutch community together. The farewell of His Excellency Ambassador Arie van der Wiel and the World Cup Soccer Tournament. The attendance at both these events could have been better. Still it was enjoyed by those who did attend. We have tried to improve our publicity campaign this year by producing monthly Het Auckland Krantje and developing our website and Face-book. I like to thank those who advertise in Het Krantje, this helps to reduce the cost of production of this colourful paper. I also like to thank those who contribute articles of interest and those who each month help to distribute Het Krantje. Thanks to Rita van Pelt for proof reading faithfully at short notice each month and to Jon Strong for editing and assembling Het Krantje each month. I like to thank the committee for their dedication and hard work and giving of their time to the work that needed to be done each month. I like to thank each member for their support in the past year and I look forward to your support in the year to come. Albert Ruijne, President

Van de Secretaresse - vervolg PRESENTING: A PERFORMANCE BY DOETIE KEIZER FRIDAY 8 AUGUST AT 7:30pm IN THE CLUBROOMS, 61 TAITA DRIVE, LOWER HUTT, ADMISSION $7 “CURL UP AND DYE YOUR HAIR”

“Southland audience dotes on Doetie.” Pat Veltkamp, Fiordland Advocate “At an age when a lot of women are tossing up between a good book or a quiet game of golf, Doetie Keizer has remodelled herself into a stand-up comedienne. Surely this is one of the most heart-stopping challenges around with a similar degree of fear as free falling from a plane. To stand alone on a stage, facing an audience of people who mostly know you, for 2×40 minutes, takes pure guts. Why then? “Doetie got a taste for performance during a music degree at SIT. She says her primary motivation is to entertain, though the one woman shoe is in part tribute to her dad, who died recently. It is certainly an insight into the strong family of characters who shaped this funny and resilient showgirl. “An evening with Doetie has an amiable charm such as you feel in easy conversation with friends. There is no cutting wit. The humour is kindly but with unexpected twists. One of her friends I gathered up from town would have spat her teeth out a couple of times if they hadn’t been firmly attached. “Doetie’s singing voice lends itself naturally to blues and jazz,so her Nina Simone was well received but her style is versatile enough for Van Morrison, Eurythmics and even the Maori waiata of solidarity Nga Iwi E. She is also an accomplished musician playing the piano accordion and ukulele at times.” “De Schakel”


2014 Klaverjas Federation Cup Results - met dank aan Joh Bellamore Taranaki – 1st 16 24 22 18

N L’Ami L Schrader J Bellamore B Roodbeen Total

Wanganui – 3rd 3 4 5 6

T Hagenaars J Doodeman C Wester W Braakman Total

Manawatu – 2nd 8947 9840 9301 10172 38260

7 8 9 10

C Schrader A Schrader P Cooper P de Graaf Total

Wellington – 4th 8911 7579 9508 9255 35253

11 12 13 14

A Beyk M Iwanek J Madson C Dorresteijn Total

9447 8700 9824 9214 37185

8965 7598 8013 8416 32992

Federation Cup Klaverjas Tournament 2014

“De Schakel”


Van de Wellington Society

FAREWELL to the Ambassador, Mr Arie van der Wiel, and his wife, Mrs Mathilde van Heugten 18 June 2014 at Avalon House, Lower Hutt

There were gifts, cards, and speeches. On behalf of the Federation, Kees Dorresteijn (president) thanked the Ambassador for his support and presented him with two New Zealand-themed platters.

Mr van der Wiel has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Netherlands’ community in New Zealand, and we are grateful for his contribution to the Federation and to individual clubs and groups. We wish him and Mathilde well in their retirement in The Netherlands.

“De Schakel”


50 years in New Zealand by Kees Dorresteijn - final part (21) In the beginning of 2004 we received visitors again from the Netherlands, this time it was my sister and her husband and with them were also two of their family members. When they were at our place I took them sightseeing around Wellington, but of course they wanted to see more of New Zealand. Dawn had made all the bookings and made up an itinerary for them for both the North Island and the South Island and sent it to them before they left the Netherlands so that they knew in advance when and where we would be going and how much it was going to cost. First we went to the South Island and because there were six of us we had to take both our cars and we drove mostly in convoy, but sometimes we would lose each and then our cell phones came in very handy. Once when we were visiting a museum we had become separated and when we used our cell phones to meet up again we found that we were only a couple of metres away from each other separated by a display panel. We travelled via Christchurch right down to Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill and on the way back was via the Haast and West Coast. We had a few days back in Lower Hutt again and then followed the North Island sight-seeing itinerary for the six of us up as far as Auckland. The six of us went for dinner at the Orbit revolving restaurant in the Sky tower. The next day we dropped the two family members of my brother in law and my sister at the airport to leave New Zealand. Dawn’s younger brother from Ruakaka had just been admitted to Auckland’s Mercy Hospital for an urgent quadruple bypass so we visited him after his successful surgery. The remaining four of us had been booked into a motel in Ruakaka so as to visit Dawn’s family members there, so we went there and caught up with family members in Whangarei. Dawn then drove home again alone back to Lower Hutt witnessing the big flood in the Manawatu that we had seen on the TV when in Tauranga on the way to Auckland. My sister, her husband and I carried on right up to Cape Reinga before returning to Lower Hutt with them. A year later, on the 5th of January 2005, while I was on holiday down the South Island with my second brother and his wife, there was another big flood, this time in the Hutt Valley. When we got back sometime later we could see what height the Hutt River had been because of the rubbish that was left high up the trees along the rivers. Dawn is a keen croquet player and the croquet greens which are in the corridor of the Hutt River had taken a severe bashing with the floodwaters. The river had risen to go over the top of the 1.8 meter hurricane fences. The force of the water had ripped some of the steel posts, complete with concrete, out of the ground and were deposited on the playing courts. The club house with its high foundation still had at least a meter of floodwaters go through. When the insurance company asked for tenders to replace the damaged fencing around the property, I was awarded the job and it kept me busy for some time. About this time I had some health troubles too, my hearing started to give me discomfort and I was fitted with a couple of hearing aids. Also the sight of my left eye sight was failing me and when I had it checked out, I was told that I needed a cataract operation. I never told my visitors from the Netherlands when they were here that I could hardly see anything out of my left eye. Fortunately I still had good vision in the other eye. Just before we went to the Netherlands in 2005, my cataract was operated on and three years later, my right eye had to be operated on too, so I was lucky that I did not lose my vision in both eyes at the same time. I must say that it has been enormously successful - my vision is just about perfect. The last time I had my eyes tested by a person half my age, I was told that my eyesight was better than hers. Some of the Netherlands Societies had set up a FSN (Friendly Support Network). These groups of volunteers give support to mainly earlier immigrants who have become in need of some help. This can be language, shopping, general help around the house or just some company, because they have become lonely after losing their partner. There was also a FSN Trust set up earlier from money that was donated over the years and left at the immigration department and when this Department was abolished a Trust was set up. In 2006, I became chairman of the Trust after I had been a trustee for a couple of years. In 2008 when our youngest grandchild turned 10 we asked him where he would like to go for a weekend in New Zealand with his grandparents. We had done the same for all our grandchildren when they turned 10, the 2 girls choose to go to Christchurch and all the 3 boys settled for Auckland. First it was to take the plane from Wellington to either Christchurch or Auckland. In Christchurch we would hire a rental car at the airport go out to Akaroa then travel to the city for some sightseeing and visited the Cathedral, had a ride on the tram, travelled towards Lyttelton, on the way went up the gondolas and then through the tunnel to Lyttelton where we bought fish and ships which we ate on the hill overlooking the harbour on our way up to visit the Time Ball Station. We had our dinner at the restaurant in the Casino, which was not far from our motel. On the way back at the airport we visited the Antarctica centre and went for a rough ride in the vehicle the use in Antarctica. “De Schakel”


50 years in New Zealand by Kees Dorresteijn - final part (21) - continued In Auckland we did the same by getting a rental car at the airport to our motel and then visited various places including Kelly Carlton, the Zoo and of course the amusement Park (Rainbows End). I think I got the most fun at this place with many the rides on the roller coaster. The dinner was as you can guess at the Sky tower restaurant. We owned a commercial property with an undertaker as a tenant and things were not very healthy. It was a family business and the main person had health problems and the rest of the family started to squabble with the result the business started to die. They put it on the market and it was taken over by somebody else with little or no experience with the result of not being able of paying the rent and shut up shop. We sold the unit and that was the end for us to deal with tenants. Also in 2008 a group of people thought it to be a good idea to have the entire different Dutch organisations with all much the same principles to be put together under one umbrella so to speak. Unfortunately, the end result did not accomplish what it was set out to achieve. The upshot of it was that the newly elected President of the Federation found it difficult to carry on top of his private workload and decided to resign. I was asked by the other executives if I would be willing to act as interim President till the next ANCM (Annual National Council Meeting) when a new President would be elected. I accepted their request and at the ANCM at the end of the year, I was duly elected as President again. This brings me to the end of some of my experiences of the 50 years in New Zealand. Sometime in the future I hope to finish my journey in New Zealand in Carterton where we have bought a plot at the Clareville Cemetery in Carterton (Wairarapa –New Zealand). 2012 Queens Birthday celebrations (30 April) I received the medal: Ridder in de Orde Van Oranje – Nassau. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported me over the years, because I feel I received this award on behalf of so many. 2013 I had another trip to the Netherlands, this time on my own to say goodbye to all my relations, friends and the country where I was born.

Vakantie in Nederland

2014 Dawn and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with family and close friends.

2015 ??? To celebrate my 80th Birthday. Kees Dorresteijn

Lelystad Comfortabele appartementen en kamer te huur, met TV, telefoon en internet; 45 min. van Schiphol en Amsterdam. Huur, 1 pers. vanaf €28 euro per nacht. Huur, 2 pers. vanaf €44 euro per nacht. incl. lakens en handdoeken. Korting bij een langer verblijf en 60+ korting. Brochures en foto’s: Ria Luikink-van Uum Moezelstraat 12 8226 LA Lelystad, Nederland. Tel: + 31 320 254316 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.luikink.nl “De Schakel”

And this having been the final chapter I’d like to thank you Kees on behalf of our members and readers for sharing your life story with us. Kees and Dawn, we all wish you both well in your future endeavours. The editor, Reina Vijselaar


ADDRESSES SOCIETIES

DE WEG KWIJT??

DUTCH CLUB WHANGAREI (INC.) A van der Heyden 2 Sutton Close, 15 Puriri Park Road Maunu - Whangarei 0110 ph. (09) 430 8487 email: [email protected]

Mocht U op de een of andere manier de weg zijn kwijtgeraakt en/of wanneer U hulp nodig heeft dan kunt U bellen:

CHRISTCHURCH (03) Tini de Winter 352 5317 N.Z. NETHERLANDS SOC. ORANJE AUCKLAND (INC.) 26 Katavich Pl., Mt.Roskill Auckland 1041 Rita van Pelt email: [email protected] ph. (09) 620 4226

N.Z.NETHERLANDS SOC. WAIKATO (INC.) P O Box 9252, Hamilton 3240 Wies van den Berg ph. (07) 827 9395 [email protected]

ROTORUA NETHERLANDS SOC. (INC.) P O Box 1526, Rotorua Jo Harvey Ph. (07) 348 2280 email: [email protected]

N.Z.NETHERLANDS SOC. ORANJE WANGANUI 12 Dorset Road, Wanganui Riekie Dijkstra Ph. (06) 345 2420 email: [email protected]

N.Z.NETHERLANDS SOC. MANAWATU & DISTRICTS 621 Ferguson Street, Palmerston North 4410 Greta van Brakel ph. (06) 358 8421 email: [email protected]

N.Z.NETHERLANDS SOCIETY WAIRARAPA 33 Fleet Street, Masterton Harry Wientjes ph. (06) 377 0051

DUNEDIN (03) Olga Kitchingman 473 8216

HAMILTON (07) Jos Jongenelen 827 3313 Willy Kleijburg 854 0868

The day to day well being is in the hands of an elected committee comprising, at present, of the persons listed below:

KAIKOURA (03) Chris Heuting 319 6036

PALMERSTON NORTH (06) Gretha van Brakel 358 8421 Jo Bos 350 3097 ROTORUA (07) Ina Kroese 347 0251 Anneke Meerkerk 357 4273 TARANAKI (06) Jo & Roel Hoogenberg 761 7172 WELLINGTON (04) Paula en Ton Klaassen 477 0514 Mary Boonen 237 3925

WHANGAREI (09) Sien v.d. Veeken 437 7947 Cathy Verkuylen 437 0822 Guus & Riki Karels 438 2363

If you have copy for “De Schakel” please make sure that it reaches the editor no later than 22 September 2014 De Schakel will be available on the Federation’s website in the last week of July

ISSN 2230-3456

NETHERLANDS SOC.WELLINGTON (INC.) P O Box 30060, Lower Hutt 5040 Anne-Marie Knibbeler ph. (04) 971 7571 email: [email protected]

PRESIDENT Kees Dorresteijn 26 de Menech Grove Avalon - LOWER HUTT 5011 ph. (04) 938 2378 email: [email protected]

SECRETARY Anne-Marie Knibbeler 21 August Street Lower Hutt 5019 ph. (04) 971 7571 mob. 027 951 5770 e-mail: [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENT NORTH ISLAND Albert Ruijne 15 Liam Place Halfmoon Bay AUCKLAND 2012 ph. (09) 940 9475 [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENT SOUTH ISLAND Marian Martens 173 Walkers Road RD 7 Rolleston Christchurch Ph. (03) 347 8337 email: [email protected] TREASURER VACANT

EDITOR “DE SCHAKEL” Reina Vijselaar 9 Chandler Crescent Clyde 9330 Central Otago ph. (03) 449 3387 e-mail: [email protected]

IMPORTANT LINKS: www.netherlandsembassy.co.nz www.dutchconnection.org.nz www.netherlandsfoundation.org.nz

NETHERLANDS SOC. CHRISTCHURCH (INC.) P O Box 1211, Christchurch 8140 Marina McGurk-Wijlaars ph. (03) 323 4465 email: [email protected]

“De Schakel”

The Federation of New Zealand Netherlands Societies Inc. was founded in 1966 It is governed by the National Council, a body of the Affiliated Societies, who meet once a year at the Annual National Council Meeting, which is held usually in October and each year in a different centre in New Zealand.

WANGANUI (06) Cis Huijs 344 1121 N.Z.NETHERLANDS SOC. ORANJE TARANAKI (INC.) 29c Fenton Street, Stratford 4332 Riet Weel ph. (06) 765 0343 [email protected]

DE SCHAKEL


D E S C H A K E L. Nieuwskrant van de Federatie van NZ Netherlands Societies ISSN

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