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A high-fashion fundraiser has stitched together more than style this month – raising an impressive $8000 for Mangawhai’s emergency services, thanks to the determination of local tornado survivor, Tina Johnson.
The Mangawhai Club was buzzing on August 30, as more than 150 guests, mostly women, filled the venue for an evening of runway fashion, auctions, raffles and spot prizes. Each attendee received a complimentary gift bag, with every item and prize generously donated by local businesses.
Models showcased the latest collections from The Wardrobe on Wood Street and Dimity at the Village Hub, proving that Mangawhai style can rival the catwalks of any city.
The event’s energy was held together by Jo Thomas, owner of Liquorland Mangawhai, whose quick wit and warmth as emcee kept the crowd entertained.
“Every stitch, every strut is helping raise funds in support of the Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade and Hone Hato St John Mangawhai – the only people who actually look good in hi-vis,” Thomas joked. “These are the people who are always there when you need them most, like the legend herself, Tina Tornado, knows.”
That “legend,” as Thomas called her, took the stage to a standing ovation. Johnson, who was critically injured when a tornado tore through her Old Waipu Road home in January, shared her remarkable survival story.
“It picked me up on my bed and drilled me through my bedroom wall and wardrobe, though it would have been nice if my wardrobe had dressed me on the way out,” she quipped, sparking laughter through the crowd.
Her account soon turned sobering. With severe injuries, including exposed bones and a de-gloved leg, Johnson lay trapped beneath debris until neighbours and emergency responders reached her. Firefighters eventually carried her more than a kilometre through backyards littered with downed power lines to a waiting ambulance.
Seven months and multiple surgeries later, Johnson is still on the long road to recovery, learning to walk again. Yet her determination to give back to those who saved her life remains unwavering.
“For me, organising this fundraiser was a no-brainer,” she said. “Without our emergency services, things could have turned out very differently. They are real heroes, and they need our support just as much as we need theirs.”
The evening’s success was made possible by the generosity of local businesses, including Mangawhai Fishing and Tackle, Seal Wonderland, Mangawhai Pharmacy, La Belle Coastal Retreat, Elevated Media, Mangawhai Heads Four Square, Bennetts, Mangawhai Meats, Barfoots Mangawhai, Bliss Beauty Therapy, Magnolia Hair, Nailed by Jo, BioDetox Mangawhai, Mangawhai Karaoke, Liquorland Mangawhai, and The Club.
As the final applause rang out, it was clear that the night had been about more than fashion. It was about community spirit, resilience and giving thanks to those who stand ready when disaster strikes.
