There is no story more romantic than that of Pania, the beautiful maiden of the sea people and Karitoki her handsome Maori lover. It is said that Pania lived with her lover in a house at a spot now known as Sturm’s Gully, near the foot of the Napier breakwater. But the sea people were forever calling her. She resisted for along time, but the lure of the sea people became irresistible and she swam out to meet them, just once. The sea people came from the depths and surrounded her, they drew her down into the caverns of the sea, never to return to the land of the mortals. And now, if you pass over the reef where the kingfisher shoal and gaze into the depths, you will see Pania with arms outstretched, ever striving to return to the lover she left behind on that fateful day.
(There are other versions of this legend)
As the Club was formed and originally used to meet in sight of the Pania Statue, Pania seemed an natural name for the Club!
Club Beginings
The first meeting of Pania Toastmasters Club, was held on 26th November 1984 at the Masonic Hotel, on Marine Parade Napier ( in what was then Cobb & Co and now an upmarket Art Deco Hotel). The Club has always been lunchtime Club meeting on Thursdays from 12.10pm until 1.00pm. A number of the Charter members, Graeme Valentine, Ian Levingston & Craig Robinson, who attended the first meeting are still very active members today.
The Club has met in various different locations around the CBD area and up until August 2012 met at the Hawkes Bay Club, a historic and impressive building,with extensive wood panelling throughout and overlooking the Pania stature! Today the Club now meets every Thursday 12.10pm to 1.00pm in the memorial Square Buildings,Clive Square, Napier. Bring along your lunch if you wish.
All that time, well over 25 years and we are still going strong. A great many Toastmasters have passed through the Club in that time and have benefitted from the Toastmaster’s experience.
