Hellenism Down Under
We support, promote, educate and celebrate all things Hellenic with New Zealanders. We also encourage an exchange of friendship and ideas between Hellenic countries and New Zealand.
Updates
Welcome to 2023
We're already into the end of the first quarter and start of autumn! Good to see many of you at the Greek Paniyiri last month and our AGM on 20 April.
We're also planning for our main event this year which is a Rembetiko live music evening in Spring.
Ketty Philips
We will miss Ketty Philips, long time member of HNZC, who left us last week.
She will be remembered for her invaluable assistance in her role as Treasurer, her passion for Greek history and activities in NZ, great cooking and for helping out with plenty of Greek events. Her generosity and laughter will be remembered by all of us.
Sincere condolences to her husband and HNZC President, David who has celebrated nearly 50 years with Ketty.
Be a member of HNZC!
A reminder to pay your subscription fees please. Donations also gratefully received since we've not been able to have many events last year.
Details below from our Secretary and Treasurer, John, who's doing a sterling job.
Please deposit in the Hellenic New Zealand Congress Inc. account - 06-0582-0158704-000 with your initial(s) and last name, and Mmbr sub or donation as applicable in the code or reference field. The membership amount remains $25 single or $35 family.
An acknowledgment of the deposit will be sent to your email address. A formal receipt will be sent for donations over $5.
Reminder - Greek cooking demo class 22 July
Lovely write up by Alexia Santamaria with mention of our regular sponsors, Oikos and The Olive Lady.
Change of date for Greek cooking demo class
Our secretary, John, has been able to contact almost all those who've registered by email.
Please email hnzc.secretary@gmail.com if you have not received an email from him about the class date change to Thursday 29 July.
Last day to pay for Greek Cooking Demo - Thursday
Less than a week to make your payment for our Greek Cooking Demo Class (22 July) by Thursday 15 July evening so that it comes through by Friday.
Please don't forget to email our secretary, John on hnzc.secretary@gmail.com once you've made your payment.
Here's the info:
Please pay by direct banking to the HNZC account (ANZ 06-0582-0158704-00), putting your initial and surname with "Cook 2021" as reference and email hnzc.secretary@gmail.com to say you've made the payment with your name and # of tickets purchased.
Tickets will not be sold at the door so please book in advance.
Our annual cooking class returns this year, with our popular demonstrator, Stella Bares.
She'll prepare a couple of dishes (more details later) in front of us for sampling. We will also have some nibbles on the table to enjoy while you're watching the demo.
Tickets $30 per person or $25 if you are a paid up member of HNZC.
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../hellenic-new.../wellington
Note: COVID-19 alert levels may change. We will hold the event if we can.
Otherwise we will reschedule to another date/time so your ticket will carry over. If the new date is not suitable, we will provide a refund.
Past Events
Another year in review
The AGM for 2023 was held on Thursday 20 April 2023 at 6.30 pm .
It was held on the ground floor of the building beside the church used as the Greek school. This is a different location from last year.
We had further news about the much delayed Rembetiko function among other things and reviewed last year.
— AGM 2023
Thought provoking and uplifting
Wellington premiere of these two Greek plays, written by locals, was held in December 2022 at Gryphon Theatre in Wellington. We'd like to thank Paul Kay, President of Stagecraft, for directing these plays.
The plays were almost sold out every session with a great response from many theatre goers.
— Australis and My Father, My Son (December 2022)
"Great to see each other"
The AGM took place on Thursday 5 May 2022 6.00pm at the Greek Community Hall in Hania Street. It was upstairs in the Library/AV room.
Due to renovations, there is one open space on this floor. The AGM was in the old Library/AV part.
For more information including new member enquiries, please contact hnzc.secretary@gmail.com.
— Hellenic New Zealand Congress AGM 2022
Winter home cooked delights
Our annual cooking class returned this year, with our popular demonstrator, Stella Bares.
She prepared three dishes, leek rice, giant beans and orange pie, in front of us for sampling. We also had some nibbles on the table to enjoy while watching the demo.
— Greek Cooking Demo Class (Thu 29 July 2021)
A day filled with αγάπη (love), kai (food) and fun
Hellenic New Zealand Congress partnered with Homeland to provide the opportunity for members of the Hellenic diaspora (Auckland, Wellington and Rotorua) to spend the day with Peter Gordon in his cooking school and cook a lunch as part of his Community Tuesdays.
We also prepared a 3 course dinner which showcased Hellenic cuisine to Kiwis. The event was the first community dinner at Homeland and sold out within 24 hours of being advertised.
— HNZC collaboration with Peter Gordon @Home(18 May)
Fascinating talk
Hellenic New Zealand Congress were delighted to hold a free talk about Greek films by our distinguished guest speaker, Dr Anastasia Bakogianni, Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies from Massey University.The talk included famous Greek directors such as Theo Angelopoulos (keep an eye on our future events for a retrospective film event on him) and Michael Cacoyiannis.
It started after our Hellenic New Zealand Congress AGM (also open to the public) ends so all were free to attend both events if interested in learning more about Hellenic New Zealand Congress.
It was held at the Greek Community Centre on the top floor in the AV room.
20 April 2021
— Screening Ancient Tragedy in Modern Greek Film
New future and direction
We welcomed all members (past, present and future) to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) which preceded a talk 'Screening Ancient Tragedy in Modern Greek Film' by Dr Anastasia Bakogianni, Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies from Massey University.
We held the AGM and talk at the Greek Community Centre on the top floor in the AV room.
— Hellenic New Zealand Congress AGM 2021 (20 April)
Collaboration with Friends of Te Papa
An event with Friends of Te Papa on the subject of Greek Easter for their members. It is an introduction to the Eastern Orthodox Easter for those who've never experienced one.
Dimitrios Mitsotakis, Stella Bares and Father George Kanellis presented their own perspectives on the most important event in the Hellenic calendar.
https://www.friendsoftepapa.org.nz/features/review-greek-easter/
https://www.friendsoftepapa.org.nz/event/talk-greek-easter-101/
— Greek Easter 101 (9 Apr 2021)
Church service and 1821 documentary
Church service that included the Hymn which was one of the rallying cries of 1821, followed by showing of 1821 documentary with English subtitles.
— The Greek War of Independence Hymn/Film (24 March)
Thought provoking and wide variety of topics
Series of free talks by distinguished speakers, leading up to Bicentennial commemoration.
— Th Greek War of Independence Talks (21 - 23 March)
Music with pathos and gravity
Hellenic Congress was one of the sponsors for this tribute concert at Victoria University to celebrate the extraordinary compositions of a famous Greek in New Zealand.
Oikos Hellenic Cuisine helped cater for this event with delightful mezedes.
— Portait Concert - John Psathas (7 Dec 2020)
Winter warmer recipes with Stella
Our annual cooking demo class was held at Greek Orthodox Community hall in Hania Street.
It was quieter this year post COVID-19 lockdown but still fun. A nice way to spend the evening after work to watch four Greek dishes being prepared, while eating some nibbles and then sampling the Greek food once it's cooked.
We advertised the class on Facebook Events page and Eventfinda event.
— Greek Cooking Demo Class (29 July 2020)
Greek Documentary from Thessaloniki Film Festival 2019
Wellington premiere of "Ο Ηρακλής, ο Αχελώος, και η Μεσοχώρα" (Heracles, Acheloos and Mesochora, with English subtitles). The movie will start at 3.30pm after the AGM tea/coffee break as the AGM is being held same day at 2.15pm (all welcome) in the TTC clubrooms.
"The village of Mesochora, as well as the paternal home of the documentary director, is on the banks of the Acheloos river, in the mountain range of Pindos. The area, however, is flooded by the artificial lake created by the diversion of the river.
The documentary unfolds the incredible story of the hostage of the village, the family tragedy of the director himself, and the admirable struggle of the inhabitants of Mesochora."
We would like to thank the director and ERT for providing this film to us free of charge and to Elias Pavlidis for organizing the film to come to Wellington.
Direction: Δημήτρης Κουτσιαμπασάκος
Script: Δημήτρης Κουτσιαμπασάκος Cinematography: Yorgos Papaioannou
Editing: Yorgos Savoglou Sound: Nikos Paliatsoudis, Antonis Kypreos, Yorgos Petroutsas
Music: Vangelis Fampas Production: ERT Production
Country: Greece | Production Year: 2019
— Heracles, Acheloos and Mesochora (12 JUL 2020)
Another successful raffle with funds going to the GOC
Thanks to contributions from the Congress members including a sizable donation from John Davidson and the kindness of the Greek Orthodox Community, we set up our stall on Hania Street to raise money for the GOC through a raffle and promoted the Congress activities.
A good day had by all!
— Greek Paniyiri (22 Feb 2020)
Supporting local book event with Classical Association
Our very own Congress member and Secretary, Professor John Davidson, launched a new book of poetry on Romans and Ancient Greeks at Victoria University last year.
It was well attended by Congress members.
— Classical Illusions book launch (8 Oct 2019)
Supporting local theater event with Victoria Ancient Theatre Society (VATS)
Another opportunity to provide funding, this time towards a local production of Agamemnon. The students did an excellent job, portraying their Greek tragedy on a sparse stage.
— Agamemnon (4-6 Oct 2019)
About Us
Hellenic New Zealand Congress
We are a group of New Zealanders, some of Greek or Cypriot descent, who have a passion for all things Hellenic.
We support our local Hellenic community groups and have an ongoing programme to celebrate Hellenism, past or present.
The Hellenic New Zealand Congress (HNZC) started in 1994 and is based in Wellington.
Check out our Facebook page.