Welcome to District 9940

Are you someone who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.

Rotary 9940 is the Rotary District for the Lower North Island. It comprises 1,000 members; just over 30 Clubs and endless opportunities to get involved in the community, network, develop and make friends. Additionally, you become a member of one of the largest membership organisations in the world with 1.2 million members worldwide.

Cans for a Cause 2026

Cans for a Cause!!

Background:

New Zealand is facing a cost-of-living crisis with the number of New Zealanders needing to access food banks dramatically increasing. 14% of New Zealand’s population is considered to be in need of assistance to provide food for their families each week.

Rotary has a long history of supporting community initiatives within New Zealand, our service dates back over 100 years and we are recognised as people of action.

Rotary Clubs across Aotearoa New Zealand are joining together to help fight food poverty in our local communities.

We are aiming to collect 1 million cans or non-perishable food items during June. This will be the largest ever food collection campaign in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The food collected will be distributed to local food banks or equivalent to help feed hungry families.

Objectives:

To collect 1 million cans or non-perishable food items
To partner with local food banks, maraes and charities to distribute the food items
To partner with local schools, retirement villages, community groups and businesses to act as collections sites
Raise awareness of the pressing need to continuously support food banks across New Zealand

This campaign will run from Monday 1^th June to Sunday 8th June 2026

Register by Monday 1 June by Google Form

Out District 9940 contact is Chris Eales ChrisE_DGN9940@outlook.com

We are committed to helping Rotary Clubs achieve this goal. Our next update will provide further information.

Applications Open 1 June 2026

Secondary schools across New Zealand will be advised by email on 28–29 May 2026 that applications officially open on 1 June 2026.

Schools will receive information through their main contact email address and, where known, directly to Heads of Science, Mathematics, and Technology.

Rotary Clubs – Early Engagement is Important

Students are encouraged to identify and connect with the Rotary club supporting their school. Clubs are therefore encouraged to reach out early to their associated secondary schools to ensure school staff know:

The name of your Rotary club
Your club’s Forum contact person
How students can engage with your club during the application process

This is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships with local schools and introduce young people to Rotary and future Rotary programmes.

Application Process

The entire application process is now managed online through the Forum website: rotaryscienceforum.nz

There will be no hard copy mail outs to schools or Rotary clubs.

Students will:

Download and complete the required application forms
Submit an initial online data form
Compile an Application Package including:
- Information Form
- Declaration Form
- School support letter
- Covering letter to the nominating Rotary Club President

Completed applications are first submitted to the Forum Administrator before being distributed to District Coordinators and Rotary clubs.

Key Deadline

Student application packages must be received by the Forum Administrator by: Sunday 9 August 2026, Midnight (NZST)

Support & Resources

The Forum website contains dedicated sections for:

Students
Schools
Rotary Clubs

It also includes:

Selection Process Guidelines for Rotary Clubs
Application Process Flowchart
District Coordinator contact details

Please note that some current website information may still reference the 2026 Forum until updates are completed by 1 June 2026, however the overall process remains the same.

If your club has any questions, please contact your District Coordinator in the first instance, or email the Forum Administrator at: rotarysciencetechnologyforum@gmail.com

This programme continues to be one of Rotary’s premier youth opportunities, helping inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, engineers, and technology leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand.

District Vacancies

We still have some District roles that are available if you are keen and would like to step up:

Regional Community Leader (RCL) - Wairarapa

Regional Community Leader (RCL) - Hutt Valley

The RCL roles are becoming more important as the regionalisation programme moves forward. We have had some very good results with some of our RCL teams and look forward to ensuring this is replicated throughout the district.

Rotary District Stewardship - a very important role ensuring that we follow the rules with regards to Rotary Foundation funds.

Rotary District Public Image Chair - can you bring your marketing flair to the table and help us to shine in our communities in the District and beyond!

If you are interested in any of these roles please get in touch: brent.gerrard@outlook.com or call me on 021 725060

District Changeover 2026

District Changeover 2026

11.00am 27th June

District Changeover will be at Boulcott Farm Heritage Golf Club in Lower Hutt again this year - it was so good last year we decided to go again this year!

To assist with catering numbers please register here:

Cost is $20 per person. We will have a mixture of food types (gluten free, vegan, no nuts etc)

See you there!

Epic Day of Service

Don't forget the…

EPIC Day of Service

Picture the incredible power of every club in the South Pacific coming together, each taking on a project that ignites their passion, all on the same day! Imagine the energy as we unite to make a difference and reveal Rotary’s true impact within our communities.

How it Works

In 2025, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and community partners from five continents, eight countries, twenty states, fifty-seven districts, and 539 clubs joined forces in 613 projects, with 6,557 volunteers serving together.

Nine of those clubs were in Rotary South Pacific—just think how much greater our impact will be if we step up even further in 2026. The possibilities are limitless, and the ripple effect of our service can inspire real, lasting change.

Get involved!

Save the Date: 16 May 2026 - Epic Day of Service

Do a project you’re already doing, just do it on 16 May 2026 and leverage the power of Rotary for global impact. Take this to your clubs, have a think about one of your current projects that you could action on the Epic Day of Service.

Shelterbag Project - a Nationwide response by Rotary to rough sleeping homeless

Urgent Funding Needed!

Shelterbag Ad We are still looking for more funds for The Shelterbag Project… it's a powerful Rotary initiative addressing the growing issue of rough sleeping and homelessness.

To date we’ve placed an order for 600 bags for manufacture, out of 1200 that would fill a 20’container – so still room to add. We’ll be making a call in late January what the final number will be, and we’ll ship what we can so that we can at least meet the target too have them in NZ before winter starts.

Whanganui are working with the City Mission to get their 40 ordered bags working. In New Plymouth where we have already provided 40 bags, the YMCA have requested another 50 (which we have currently funded) to expand their reach around the rest of the province. We’ve had nothing but positive feedback on how the program is being managed in Taranaki and the difference it is making for people using them.

We are currently about $6,000 away from being able to order a further 100 bags for manufacture. Be great if that could come from our District. Currently there are about 150 rough sleepers in Wellington alone, but at the moment there are no bags that can be assigned to them. Any money raised from your clubs will buy the shelterbags to go into your community (in case that was a question)

Charitable Donations should be made to: ROZOPS Ltd 06-0193-0905286-007 using “Shelterbag” in the particulars field and your club (or individual name) in the reference field.

Donation receipts are issued at the end of the month by Kirsten Hawke, Kirsten@astillhawke.co.nz , but she’ll need to be able to match the donation to the person, so best for people to email her to pass on donation detail, name, and email address for receipt.

This compassionate effort will help “Provide Comfort and Dignity for the Homeless Rough Sleepers in New Zealand.”

We need to order some minimum numbers ASAP…hit ‘Read more’ for details…

For further details or to confirm your club’s support, please contact:
Len Houwers – Rotary Club of Waitara
📧 len.houwers@aretelimited.com
📞 0274 445 861

Life Flight 2025

Life Flight Trust and Rotary District 9940 Regional Children's Health Trust

Thanks to the significant number of Clubs that have contributed either via the Children's Health Trust or directly to the Life Flight Trust.

Our total donated is just over $113,000!!

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Life Flight Trust and the critical service that they provide across New Zealand does not lessen. Life Flight Trust extend their thanks to our district for the continuing support and contributions to help with purchasing vital lifting equipment.

Taipei Convention

If you're thinking of heading to Taipei with two hundred other Australia/NZ/PI attendees…

and 35,000 Rotarians from around the world…

There's only 6 weeks to go…it's going to be a fantastic Convention!!

If you are going, get in touch with Brent Gerrard as there is a 9940 contingent going. Email brent.gerrard@outlook.com

The Rotary Foundation - Doing Good in the World

The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. The Rotary Foundation is recognized as one of the most effective and well-managed charitable organizations in the world. Here in Aotearoa New Zealand and throughout the world our Rotarians are working on activities to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies and protect the environment. For more information on the Rotary Foundation see here.

Join us in our work or let us know of community needs by contacting a local Rotary or Rotaract Club here. For enquiries - contact the District 9940 Foundation Administration here

The Foundation is supported by voluntary contributions of time, skills and funds from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share our vision of a better world. Donations to help our work in the world should be sent to the Rotary District 9940 Foundation bank account 03-0502-0416962-00.

FIVE REASONS FOR BECOMING A PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY MEMBER

Posted by Richard Wishnowsk on Nov 09, 2025

HELP ROTARY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD

SUPPORT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

BECOME A PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY MEMBER

Accountability and transparency have earned The Rotary Foundation 11 straight years of four-star ratings — the highest possible — from independent evaluator Charity Navigator. Ninety-two percent of Foundation funds are spent directly on programs.
Impact: Rotary partners with other organizations to increase our impact and make your donations work even harder. When you give to PolioPlus, for example, you have the satisfaction of knowing that every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication is matched by $2 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
A record of success: Rotary unites leaders who have the skills and resources to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems and deliver sustainable, long-lasting results. For decades, Rotary has been a leader in the battle against polio and has caused cases to plummet from 350,000 in 1988 to only a handful this year
Global reach: Our 1.2 million members span the globe, uniting people who have a common desire to serve others. From teaching children to read in Ecuador to a microcredit program in Indonesia, Rotary members identify local problems and use Rotary’s vast network and the resources of The Rotary Foundation to take action in their communities.
Local Impact: Half of everything you contribute to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund comes back to YOUR home district. At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in the district are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund(DDF). Districts can use the DDF to pay for Foundation, club, and district projects that your club and others in the district choose.