Dementia Hawke’s Bay is pleased to share the outcome of our 2025 Silent Auction, which closed on Sunday, 30th November and raised an impressive $5,304 to support local services and community programmes.

Over several days of steady bidding, supporters placed offers on more than 40 donated items – including gardening services, hampers, fitness memberships, handcrafted goods, artwork, and local experiences. These items were generously contributed by businesses, community members, and long-standing supporters, making this one of our most varied auctions to date.

Since the auction closed, our kaimahi (staff) have been packaging and delivering items to their new owners. There has been steady activity across our houses as the last of the collections are completed, and we are grateful to everyone who donated, bid, or shared the auction with others.

Auction Highlights
Many items drew consistent interest, with several receiving more than 20 bids.

Top-selling items included:
• Nfinite Fitness one-year gym membership – $500
• House deep clean (Cleancrest) – $350
• Four hours of gardening services (Weber Gardening, donated by Summerset) – $300
• Holly Bacon Christmas meat pack – $335
• Romantic glamping experience for two (Wow Stays) – $450

Items attracting the most bids included the 20kg box of Alpine Deer venison, with 21 bids, followed by the Large Christmas Hamper and the gardening services donated by Summerset.

The Workshop That Makes Mistakes
A big mihi to the team at The Workshop That Makes Mistakes – our creative space where clients design and handcraft unique items. The wooden pieces, planter boxes, and family activity bundles crafted in the workshop raised $466. Their work drew strong interest from the community, reflecting the skill and effort that went into each item.

Ngā mihi, Hawke’s Bay
This event was only possible through the generosity of our donors, the support of eager bidders, the time and commitment of volunteers and kaimahi, and the creativity of our wonderful clients.

All funds raised stay in the region and contribute to Dementia Hawkes Bay programmes – including the Active Brain Programme, client activities, support services, and outreach across our communities.

We appreciate the ongoing tautoko (support) from across Hawke’s Bay. Your support helps ensure local people living with dementia | mate wareware – and their whānau – continue to access the connection, guidance and dignity they deserve.