“She was surrounded by so much love.”
Giarni was 11 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of muscle cancer that had spread throughout her body to her lungs and bones. She battled it for three years with the support of her family and community.
The school rallied around Giarni Thompson and her mother Tina Thompson, a teacher at Te Paepae o Aotea. They held sausage sizzles and bake sales to help with treatment costs.
Family and friends, including Teokotai Vaine (left), Tina Thompson, Kevin Barnard and Yolandi Coetzer, attended the 2025 Giarni Thompson Memorial Trophy tournament.
Students and teachers shaved their heads and donated their hair at annual school-wide “shave-a-thon” fundraisers. In 2021, the event raised $8590 for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand and drew community-wide support.
“She was just absolutely full of life, even going through her treatments,” Barnard said.
Barnard and his wife Yolandi Coetzer, who also taught her, were close to Giarni, he said.
“All of the kids gravitated towards her.”
When Giarni died in late 2023, her death left “a huge mark on the school”, he said.
“It was just devastating for all of the students,” he said.
“There was a real sadness around the school for a long time after that.”
Barnard founded the tournament with Manaia Golf Club in 2024 to carry on her legacy and raise funds for families affected by cancer.
Proceeds go to the Child Cancer Foundation New Zealand.
“I want this to become the biggest tournament in New Zealand,”he said.
“I want her memory to live on.”
In its first year, the Ambrose tournament raised $2500 with about 70 participants.
In 2025 it raised more than $7000 with about 100 players.
This year Barnard expects more than 140 participants.
Team registration and donations can be made by contacting Barnard at 022 458 6622 or kevin.barnard5@gmail.com. Entry is $140 for a team of four. Registrations close on Sunday before the event’s 10am start.
More than 25 Taranaki businesses have sponsored prizes and raffles. Spectators and volunteers are welcome and Giarni’s family will attend.
“Every little bit helps,” Barnard said.
“Cancer’s one of those things that just rip up lives. It doesn’t matter who you are, it doesn’t matter where you come from, it affects everybody.”
More information on the event and how to participate is on the Manaia Golf Club Facebook page.
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.