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Get ready for a night of glitz, glamour, and giving as Rotorua’s Harcourts Dancing for Hospice returns for 2024.
Over the next few months, 20 locals will transform from novices to amazing dance duos all to raise money for Rotorua Community Hospice.
Dance instructors, Ellie Smith, Troy Smith, and Glen Law have paired up this year’s participants who now embark on a 16-week journey of dedication, concluding in a spectacular performance at the Energy Events Centre on Saturday, August 17.
Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participants. Clockwise from top left Jess Millar, Cori Marsters, Darrius Strickland, Emma Baylis, Kim Jones, Nikora Simpkins, Shannen Lunam, Tyson Rimmer, Roger Schreuder, Jane Hua, Sarah Small, Graeme Young, Simon Chisholm, Trudy Haringa, Te Okiwa Morgan, Holly Tuhakaraina, Nae Taua-Hapeta, Kelly Hemana, Justin Wilkinson and Laura Smith.
For the first time in the event’s history, Harcourts Dancing for Hospice will present the Patchell Group Matinee - an afternoon event for an all-ages audience.
Fundraising and marketing manager Jessica Meade said the matinee on Sunday, August 11 from 4pm to 6pm at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre, will showcase the dancers in a relaxed, enjoyable performance “perfect for an afternoon out with friends and a great way to support Hospice care in our community”.
Tickets for the matinee go on sale in mid-May while tickets for the main event go on sale at the end of June.
All proceeds for these events go directly to Rotorua Community Hospice, ensuring compassionate care for those facing life-limiting illnesses.
Dancing for Hospice 2023 winning couple Nicky Fraser and David Livingstone. Photo / Andrew Warner
Last year’s event raised about $140,000 with Nicky Fraser and David Livingstone taking out the crown with a tango.
Justin Wilkinson. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Justin Wilkinson
Occupation: Project management consultant for Mint Consulting
Why I’m dancing: If all it takes is for me to shuffle my two left feet across a stage for a few mins (on show night), to tautoko this amazing organisation who do so much for our community, then I’m all in!
Kelly Hemana. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Kelly Hemana
Occupation: Teacher who is currently on study leave
Why I’m dancing: I have taken up this challenge in support of the special work that the Hospice offers our tight-knit community, a community I am very passionate about and have taught in for more than 20 years.
Roger Schreuder. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Roger Schreuder
Occupation: Police officer
Why I’m dancing: I am participating in Dancing for Hospice because it is a great cause and it will take me out of my comfort zone.
Trudy Haringa. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Trudy Haringa
Occupation: Volunteer support manager, Hato Hone St John
Why I’m dancing: After being inspired by so many dancers over the years, I was inspired to step outside my comfort zone, trying something very different, at the same time supporting such a great event and charity.
Simon Chisholm. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Simon Chisholm
Occupation: Owner Profiles Gym Group
Why I’m dancing: I’m doing Harcourts Dancing for Hospice to step out of my comfort zone. Dirty Dancing is my all-time favourite movie and I’m keen to see how far I can take my dancing shoes. Great cause of course with Hospice and keen to help where I can. If we can raise some funds at my expense, I’m all for it.
Kim Jones. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Kim Jones
Occupation: Administration for Jonesy’s Mobile Welding Ltd and experienced barista for our local cafes.
Why I’m dancing: In memory of a dear friend, I am stepping right out of my comfort zone.
Graeme Young. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Graeme Young
Occupation: Electrical and Instrumentation Tech at Fonterra Reporoa
Why I’m dancing: Everyone has a family member or knows someone that has been helped by Hospice so it just my way to help Hospice fundraise and to say thank you.
Sarah Small. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Darrius Strickland. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Darrius Strickland
Occupation: Forest Inventory Technician/Feep Co-ordinator at Interpine Innovation
Why I’m dancing: I’m doing Harcourts Dancing for Hospice because of the amazing kaupapa and on behalf of a close friend who lost his wife to cancer and wants to thank hospice for their support.
Holly Tuhakaraina. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Holly Tuhakaraina
Occupation: Training pharmacist technician, Hinemoa Pharmacy
Why I’m dancing: The reason I wanted to participate with Dancing for Hospice was to try something different and to step out of my comfort zone, while supporting families under hospice care.
Nikora Simpkins. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Nikora Simpkins
Occupation: Ngongotahā Four Square
Why I’m dancing: I am participating in Harcourts Dancing for Hospice this year because it is a big challenge and right out of my comfort zone and I’m also participating in tribute of my Nan (Bev Simpkins) who worked at Hospice Rotorua who sadly passed away last year.
Laura Smith. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Laura Smith
Occupation: Local Democracy Reporter, Rotorua Daily Post
Why I’m dancing: Colleagues and friends have danced in previous years and convinced me it would be an incredible experience on top of being for a good cause.
Cori Marsters. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Cori Marsters
Occupation: Kaiako at Te Wananga O Aotearoa
Why I’m dancing: My family has had support from hospice a few times now, so to reciprocate their support I thought I would volunteer for this year’s Harcourts Dancing for Hospice and what a fun way to give back to a great cause.
Emma Baylis. Harcourts Dancing for Hospice 2024 participant.
Name: Emma Baylis
Occupation: Co-Founder/Director of Elevation Network
Why I’m dancing: Having always loved the show from the audience, I’m excited to be dancing this year for the incredible service that Hospice provides for our Rotorua community. I’m looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone, meeting new people, and raising funds to ensure the services can continue into the future!
