An evening with Rotary International Past President Gordon McInally on Monday 2nd November – details to come.
As the Trustee Chair-Elect for the Rotary Foundation, Gordon is keen to visit us and remind us of our focus on the Foundation and all the good it does in our world. He is a very keen supporter of mental health initiatives and many other health-based initiatives.
Wellington siblings Jayathi and Jayath Jaiganesh are making waves internationally with the release of their debut children’s book, Bella and Bio-Bot. The book is available online and in stores in London, Cambridge, Sharjah, and New York, has been added to the prestigious British Library, and is available in New Zealand libraries. Jayathi recently served a term as a member of the Rotary International Youth Advisory Council. The children's mum, Jay, is a member of the Rotary Club of Wellington North. Continuing her work in the area of youth, Jayathi is using her enthusiasm to help our tamariki engage in the science arena.
Rotary Youth Advisory Counci members advise the Rotary International Board of Directors to shape the future of Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange, and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). Since the Council began four years ago, they have championed an inclusion strategy for young people in Rotary, advocated for the launch of the @rotaryyoungleaders Instagram channel, and hosted virtual webinars and breakout sessions at Convention to raise awareness about Rotary’s youth programs. The Council meets virtually on a quarterly basis, providing direct feedback to Rotary’s Board of Directors.
Bella and Bio-Bot take readers on an imaginative journey full of curiosity, adventure, and discovery, showcasing the creativity and insight of these talented young Wellington authors. The launch marks an exciting milestone in their literary journey, and the siblings credit their parents, teachers, mentors, and friends for their invaluable support and encouragement.
Beyond being an engaging story, Bella and Bio-Bot has a strong STEM focus, introducing children to science, technology, engineering, and problem-solving concepts in an accessible and fun way. Through the adventures of Bella and her robotic companion, young readers are encouraged to think critically, experiment, and explore the world around them—making the book both entertaining and educational.
“We hope our story inspires children and young readers in New Zealand and around the world to explore the joy of reading and embrace creativity,” say Jayathi and Jayath.
There is now a discovery kithands‑on exploration to help young children notice more, ask questions and keep exploring. Order your copy: Visit Amazon and search for Bella and Bio-Bot Jayathi Jaiganesh or use the direct link: https://www.amazon.com/Bella-Bio-Bot-Jayathi-Jaiganesh/dp/1035862255
This November, Rotary members around the world have the opportunity to get moving for a great cause through Cycle & Steps 2026, supporting the work of BeyondWater in East Africa.
BeyondWater is a charitable organisation working to alleviate poverty across East Africa by providing access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. Rotary has been a major supporter of this work, helping BeyondWater reach more than 300,000 people every day.
The organisation is led by Pete and his wife, who are members of the Rotary Club of Pohutukawa Coast (D9920) and have been based in Nairobi, Kenya, for the past 15 years.
🚴♂️ Pedal Against Poverty
In November, the third Pedal Against Poverty event will see a team of cyclists from New Zealand, Kenya and the USA tackle an incredible 1,500km journey along the length of New Zealand’s South Island.
The team, including Pete, is aiming to raise $10,000 to build a new block of toilets at Kikongo Primary School in Kenya.
While the cyclists will be covering their own costs, they are also taking a support vehicle, driven by a member of the Rotary Club of North Harbour, and are seeking sponsorship to help cover the costs of this vehicle.
🌍 How can your Club get involved?
Alongside Pedal Against Poverty, BeyondWater is inviting Rotary clubs around the world to take part in Cycle & Steps 2026.
On 21 November — or another date that works for your club — registered teams can gather at a local venue and walk, run or cycle a route of their choice. It’s designed to be easy for Rotary clubs to participate in, wherever they are in the world.
Whether we put together a team, organise a local activity, or support the Pedal Against Poverty team, it’s a great opportunity to combine fellowship, physical activity and fundraising while contributing to a project that will make a lasting difference for children in Kenya.
Your commitment to service makes an impact year-round. Here are meaningful ways to come together and create lasting change this quarter with The Rotary Foundation.
International Literacy Day, 8 September. Help Rotary build a more equitable world where all children receive quality education and adults gain essential literacy and numeracy skills. Honor Literacy Day with a gift to The Rotary Foundation.
International Legacy Giving Day, 13 September. For more than 100 years, Rotary members have created legacies of Doing Good in the World through The Rotary Foundation’s Endowment. Celebrate their impact and shape the future with a gift to the Endowment.
International Day of Peace, 21 September. Peacebuilding is central to Rotary’s mission. When communities create peace locally, global change follows. Mark Peace Day with a gift to The Rotary Foundation that empowers Rotary and Rotaract clubs, districts, and peace fellows to build lasting peace worldwide.
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It's great to see an article on Radio New Zealand news about the ShelterBag project. 
