An afternoon of style, generosity, and community spirit
Midwinter in Tauranga took on a luminous tone as Sisters & Co hosted an elegant charity lunch at the historic Clarence Pavilion, in support of the Westpac and Aerocool Rescue Helicopter services. Held in partnership with Ebbett Prestige Tauranga and a long list of supportive sponsors. The Winter Solstice Charity Lunch gathered a thoughtfully curated guest list of designers, businesswomen, creatives, and philanthropists in celebration of both fashion and compassion.
The idea for the event came from Sisters & Co founders Rodelle and Logan Payne, who were moved to act following a recent experience where the Aerocool and Westpac Rescue Helicopters helped save the lives of close friends. After witnessing the critical, life-saving nature of these services first-hand, they felt compelled to give back in a meaningful way.
The guest list read like a roll call of New Zealand’s modern tastemakers and fashion design talent. Designers Juliet Souter of Marle and Emma Winter of La Tribe brought their signature quiet luxury, joined by jeweller Jasmin Sparrow and fashion designer Rebe Burgess of namesake label Rebe. Greta Kenyon, Founder and Editor of Together Journal, served as MC, anchoring the afternoon with poise and warmth. Guests arrived via a chauffeured fleet of Range Rovers, courtesy of Ebbett Prestige, setting the tone for a stylish yet heartfelt gathering.
Inside, the Pavilion was set with long tables dressed in understated elegance, where guests shared a seasonal lunch before turning their attention to the day’s centrepiece: a charity auction with 100 percent of proceeds going to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Aerocool Bay of Plenty Rescue Helicopter. The live and silent auctions offered a dazzling array of prizes, including a private jet experience for eight, a luxury Land Rover weekend escape, contemporary furniture from interiors favourite Amier Home, designer pieces from Sisters & Co labels, and vouchers from bespoke menswear label Crane Brothers.
In total, the event raised just under $30,000 for a cause that holds deep meaning for the community. As the co-founders shared, the lunch was born from personal experience and a desire to honour lives touched by tragedy through something truly uplifting.
Events like this serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of community, the importance of connection, and the impact of collective giving. In an era where fashion is increasingly guided by values, this gathering embodied the spirit of conscious luxury: meaningful, beautifully considered, and rich in purpose.
Photography by Nicole Troost captured every detail — from tablescapes to quiet moments of generosity — providing a visual testament to what happens when style and substance align.
For more information visit sistersandco.com and sisterssnaps
