Strong Connections on Show at Canteen’s 2025 Partner Event

30 Oct 2025

Around 50 partners, supporters, board members, alumni and staff joined Canteen Aotearoa for our recent Partner Event, an evening focused on connection, conversation and celebrating the collective impact of our community.

Guests included representatives from Burger King, Hireace, BNZ, Weave Leadership, the University of Auckland Business School, Flowbourne, Skillsgroup and AcademyEx. It was also special to welcome several Canteen alumni, with hopes of seeing even more familiar faces in future years.

The event highlighted the essence of Canteen: whanaungatanga. Throughout the evening, people from across our network, each connected to Canteen and showing support in different ways, came together to share experiences, strengthen relationships and enjoy a relaxed evening. Our sincere thanks go to The Pantry at Park Hyatt for hosting, and in particular to Manager Noelle Mah for helping create such a warm atmosphere.

Guests heard from Ann Tod, who spoke about the importance of trust and transparency in the not-for-profit sector, and from Suraj GC, who shared his remarkable journey from engineering student in Nepal to sommelier in Hawke’s Bay. Their stories set the tone for a night centred around purpose and community.

Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, over $1,000 was raised through a raffle supported by Sabato and an additional donation. These funds will help ensure rangatahi impacted by cancer continue receiving the vital support they need.

Feedback from attendees captured the spirit of the night:
“It was amazing to see how many friends and supporters you have, and a great idea to get everyone to connect in person.” “Great work to all involved in making this happen!”

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to such an uplifting evening. Events like this remind us how fortunate we are to have a strong, engaged community standing with rangatahi impacted by cancer.