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District Changeover 2026
District Changeover will be at Boulcott Farm 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!
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER |
District Assembly
If you want to learn more about Rotary in your District and outside of your club come to District Assembly.
If you are attending please fill out the form by clicking the link here:
Register Here - District Assembly
and President Elect Learning and Development Seminar
Rotary District Assemblies are annual training events for members and incoming club officers to learn about Rotary programs, plan for the upcoming year, and network.
Why do we hold a District Assembly: - to train club leaders (President-elect, secretaries, treasurers, and committee chairs) and provide updates on District goals. We discuss the machinery of Rotary, leadership, membership growth, the Rotary Foundation and governance.
We have a special guest from our Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office (RISPPO) based in Sydney:
This is a great opportunity to connect with other Rotarians within the district.
76 Virginia Road, Otamatea
Whanganui
Saturday 10:00 am - 3.30pm
President Elect Learning Seminar
(President Elects to attend Assembly also)
Saturday 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Sunday 8.30am - 1.30pm.
John Prendergast - District Learning and Development Chair - 027 220 965 john.donna@xtra.co.nz
Brent Gerrard DGE - 021 725060 brent.gerrard@outlook.com
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.
up even further in 2026. The possibilities are limitless, and the ripple effect of our service can inspire real, lasting change.
Did you go to the Life Flight Open Day on Sunday? It was a fantastic day of community spirit, and we were proud to be right in the middle of the action.
Rotary members from our District ran a lively booth, raising nearly $400 in support of Life Flight and the vital services they provide to our community. This event was a true example of Rotary collaboration as we were fortunate to be joined by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson, Rotary Club of Tawa, Rotary Club of Whanganui and the Rotary Club of Mount Victoria. Everyone's energy and support helped make the day both successful and enjoyable for everyone involved.
With approximately 5,000 visitors coming through the gates, the turnout was outstanding. Together, through our $2 competitions, we contributed meaningfully to the incredible work of Life Flight and helped boost Rotary's presence in the community.
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 Kapiti in 2020, the programme has supported hundreds of counselling sessions across participating schools in Kapiti, Hutt Valley and the Hawkes Bay, 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.
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.
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.
Follow us here:
https://www.facebook.com/Rotary9940
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
We're still looking for help with District roles….
District Archivist
The District has a number of records that need archiving. We also have a number of records already archived. If you to are keen to use your skills to help with managing our important district archives, then please contact me at brent.gerrard@outlook.com
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.
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
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.
Left - Current bunks, Centre - new bunk block, Right - the schools children
👉 Our immediate goal is 20 bunks for 40 boys.
Each bunk set costs $300
Every contribution will make a direct difference in the lives of these children.
Together, we can give these children the dignity of a proper bed.
To offer support to BUY A BUNK, please contact Jocelyn
Jocelyn.rotary9940@gmail.com ☎ 027 3303 487
District Dispatch's
