Hi all,

Having read the notes from Thursday's meeting, which I was unfortunately unable to be at, I want to explain a bit further the intention around the events planned for our 'opening weekend'.

Friday 30 July 2pm is the "official opening ceremony". People are invited to gather outside at 7 Montpellier St , where Ngai Tahu will complete the karakia process started at the ground-breaking ceremony. (This is the way the runaka describe it.) There may or may not be a ribbon to cut! We will move into the common house for a couple of brief speeches, and afternoon tea. Guests will be invited to view the shared areas.

This is a formal occasion, reasonably brief (1.5 hours max).

Invited guests are DCC, MPs, the contractors and other professionals who have been part of the project and who have worked with us to achieve completion.

Saturday 31 July 2.30-5.00pm is an 'at home' afternoon - an invitation for neighbours and supporters and friends to drop in for a visit during the afternoon, to have something to eat, a chance to sit and chat, a look around the shared areas. This is the occasion when we want to invite the neighbours (and we will do a letterbox drop for that), people who have been part of the Toiora journey (investors, people who were part of the group for a time) and our friends.

There will be a 'rolling' afternoon tea during this time, and we will ask Toiorans to spend some time in the common house to act as hosts during the afternoon. (We'll sort out a roster)

Food will be what is purchased from the budget allocated (any leftovers from Friday if they are safely stored overnight) and we also ask for contributions from the residents: "bring a plate".

We wanted to invite the neighbours to this event because it is more informal and will give us an opportunity to meet them, talk with them, introduce ourselves, hopefully begin to build some relationships. That is not likely to happen at the formal event on Friday afternoon.

We also suggest that we have a Toiora shared meal at 5.30pm on Saturday, and let those who come in the afternoon know that if they wish to join us for that, they would be welcome to share in the meal. How they deal with the timing of that is theirs to deal with. We do not expect people to spend all afternoon here and then stay on for dinner - this is a 'drop-in' event.

I hope that has helped to clear up some of the confusion that apparently arose when this was being discussed on Thursday. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about this plan.

Invitations to the official opening on Friday are being sent out now. (I attach the invitation)

We will produce an invitation for the Saturday afternoon (later this week, maybe) and circulate it so that people can use it to invite people they know. I will also get a spreadsheet on to Gather or somewhere suitable so that we can keep a list of who is invited.

Go well,

Anne