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.

Prize Donations Needed – Online Auction Supporting Life Flight

Partner with us | Wellington Hospitals Foundation The Rotary Children’s Health Trust is seeking support from Rotarians and clubs across the district for an upcoming online auction fundraiser in support of Life Flight.

Life Flight provides vital emergency air ambulance and medical services across New Zealand, helping save lives every day. Funds raised through this auction will help fulfil the Trust’s commitment to providing specialised lifting equipment designed to safely transport Life Flight’s smallest patients in incubators.

To make this fundraiser a success, the Trust is looking for donations of auction prizes, including:

Gift vouchers or hampers
Products or merchandise
Services (such as spa treatments, professional consultations, or experiences)
Event tickets or exclusive opportunities

Donated items will help raise essential funds for this important project while also providing valuable exposure for participating clubs and businesses. Donors can be acknowledged on the auction website and in promotional material connected with the event.

Every contribution, large or small, will make a meaningful difference.

If you are able to donate a prize or would like more information, please contact:

Judith Gray
Email: Grayju02@gmail.com
Phone: 027 440 6098

Thank you for helping Rotary support this important initiative for Life Flight and the young patients who rely on these critical services.

Lifting the Lid - Hitting the headlines

Rotary’s impact on youth mental health has recently been highlighted by RNZ, with the Lifting the Lid programme praised for helping students access counselling within just 24 hours. Schools across the Wellington region say the Rotary funded initiative is making a real difference by ensuring young people receive timely support, without long waiting lists or financial barriers.

Since launching in Wellington in 2022, the programme has supported hundreds of counselling sessions across participating schools, helping students build resilience and improve wellbeing. Demand continues to grow, demonstrating just how important this Rotary initiative has become in supporting local youth.

This is Rotary in action – making a meaningful difference when it matters most.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/587604/scheme-paying-for-counselling-within-24hrs-making-a-difference

Did You Know? We Have a District Facebook Page!

Stay connected with everything happening across our District by following our Facebook page. It’s a great way to keep up with projects, events, stories, and the incredible work our Rotary Clubs are doing in our communities.

If you haven’t already, head over and give the page a like — and while you’re there, help spread the word by sharing our posts with your networks. Every like and share helps showcase the impact Rotary is making and strengthens our connection with the wider community.

Volunteers Needed – Life Flight Open Day (22 March)

We’re looking for volunteers to help represent Rotary at the Life Flight Open Day on Saturday 22 March, from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Rotary and connect with the community while supporting the incredible work of Life Flight.

We will be running a table throughout the day and need at least 3 volunteers per hour to help greet visitors, answer questions about Rotary, and share information about what we do and what Life Flight does. Even if you can spare just one hour, your help would be greatly appreciated and will help make a real difference.

The Open Day is always a popular community event in Wellington, and it’s a great chance to raise Rotary’s profile while supporting an organisation that plays such a vital role in our region.

If you can help out for any time between 9:00am and 3:00pm on 22 March, please reach out to Judith Gray (grayju02@gmail.com).

Upcoming Webinar: Family Philanthropy & Intergenerational Giving

Rotarians across our district are invited to attend an informative online webinar exploring family philanthropy and intergenerational giving.

This session will feature Rotarian Quinto (Quin) Scalzo AM FAICD, Founder and Executive Chairman of Scalzo Food Industries, alongside his daughter Cathy Scalzo, CEO of the Scalzo Family Office.

Together, Quin and Cathy will share their experiences in business, philanthropy, legacy-building, and structured giving. The Scalzo family established the Grace and Emilio Foundation, which supports children and young people at risk of not reaching their full potential. The Foundation works with charities across Australia and internationally, helping young people access the opportunities they need to thrive.

Quin migrated from Italy to Australia in 1955 and went on to found Scalzo Food Industries in 1977, growing it into one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading privately owned food businesses. A dedicated Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Quin was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018.

Cathy Scalzo serves as CEO of the Scalzo Family Office and is a Trustee of the Grace and Emilio Foundation. She brings a wealth of experience from the legal, corporate, diplomatic, and social-impact sectors, and is actively involved in several philanthropic and community organisations.

This webinar is not hosted by our district, but is a valuable opportunity for Rotarians interested in learning more about philanthropic giving and building a lasting legacy through Rotary and beyond.

Webinar Details
Date: Monday, 16 March 2026
Time: 7:00pm (NZT)
Platform: Zoom
Registration: https://msgfocus.rotary.org/c/13WyG04IB2lg4SMCsTJsEyfORB35nLK

Whether you are new to philanthropy or a regular donor, this session offers a chance to learn from experienced Rotarians and explore the opportunities and challenges of intergenerational giving. The webinar will also be recorded and available to watch later for those unable to attend live.

Rotary Puddings Thank You

Dear Fellow Rotarian
This is a sincere thank you to all the clubs and individuals that contributed to our most successful Christmas Pudding campaign ever!

In 2024 we sold 1,044 puddings. This year we sold 1,344, a truly remarkable increase. Brian Proffit and his team at the Rotary Club of Upper Hutt led the charge, Christine Hurley and the Rotary Club of Wellington came in second closely followed by the Rotary Club of Karori. Overall demand for the puddings was very strong.

It was also very pleasing to see clubs that hadn't previously participated join with us in this campaign.

Once again many thanks and best wishes to you all for the year ahead.

Phil
Convenor, Christmas Pudding Campaign

Unite for Bondi

United for Bondi Poster

Rotary in collaboration with the NSW Government and the Jewish Board of Deputies has set up the Unite for Bondi - Bondi Terror Attack Appeal to provide benevolent relief and support to injured survivors and direct next of kin of those deceased following the fatal shootings which occurred in Bondi NSW on Sunday 14 December 2025.

To donate, please go to the following link: https://donations.rawcs.com.au/49-2025-26

RC of Petone

Petone have a busy start for 2026!!

also….

The Rotary Club of Petone will be celebrating it’s

75th Anniversary on Tuesday 28th April 2026

….anybody who has had an association or an interest in the activities of the Rotary Club would be welcome to join this festive occasion.

The event will be held at The Petone Club on Udy Street Petone commencing around 6.00pm and will include a 3 course buffet style meal,

plenty of time for socialising and reminiscing , including an update of some of the Rotary activities in the local community.

This is an interim notice to mark your calendar now, to reserve the date if you are interested in attending this event.

Further notices will be issued closer to the time and as more details of the program become available. You can also send an email to the address below

if you wish to register your interest to receive further updates. This will further assist in the event planning for catering purposes.

Best wishes,

Gerry Pallo

Petone Rotary 75th Anniversary Convenor gernpa@actrix.gen.nz

Shelterbags Project

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

If you are going, get in touch with Judy Bain as there is a 9940 contingent going. Email judy.bain@me.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.

Celebrating 42 Years Distributing Emergency Response Kits

Posted on Nov. 09, 2025

It is that time of year again. The South Pacific Cyclone Season officially commenced on 1 November 2025 through to 30 April 2026.

NIWA Prediction: Five to nine named TCs could occur in the Southwest Pacific from November 2025 - April 2026.

Rotary Emergency Response Kits are prepositioned in 5 countries for immediate response for when the needs arises.

The project started in New Zealand (Rotary Club of Eastern Hutt) 42 years ago in 1983. Thanks to all who make a difference for people when at their most vulnerable.

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.

Submitted by

Richard Wishnowsky

D9940 Paul Harris Society Coordinator

rwishnowsky@gmail.com

Source: ClubRunner

Breezeway Satellite eClub – BUY A BUNK

Support needed for Rongdal Community School, Vanuatu

Rongdal Community School in Port Vila, Vanuatu, provides education for children from families with little or no income.

To make this possible, the school runs a community garden. Parents contribute by working in the gardens, and the produce is sold at the local market to help cover school costs for their child(ren)

Because travel home is expensive, around 70 students live at the school. A new boys’ dormitory is almost complete, but the boys are still sleeping on the floor.

The next step is to provide bunks so they can rest safely, comfortably and be ready for the new school day.