The year has now well and truly got underway with clubs meeting regularly again. There is definitely excitement in the air as I get to visit them.
Last week I visited with the new Wellington North club, from Karori to Khandallah. It was a busy and fun meeting. I had the privilege to present a PHF to Jacqui Jago, the coordinator for Bellyful which is a group of volunteers who cook meals for whanau with new babies and young children who have no support network. Jacqui has spoken to many clubs and is well worth having as a guest speaker if you haven’t heard her.
We also heard from Arpith Kumar, who is a young volunteer medic. The club sponsored Arpith to go to a training camp in Sydney after his team won a competition here. They came second overall, which was an exceptional achievement. The club also features in this week’s Independent Herald with a story about their scholarships that they hand out to tertiary students. A very vibrant and busy club that is growing with their innovative membership options.
My talk to the club about Regionalisation and Redistricting was back to reality. I told the club that in 2008 District 9940 was the biggest district in New Zealand with 2227 members in over 64 clubs. As of today, we are the second smallest district with 939 members in 32 clubs. A loss of 28%. A few clubs are growing and that is to be commended, but inevitably we will be part of a new district in a new Zone. It should not affect the clubs too much and we should keep our sights firmly set on working together to help our communities. And, we need to tell our stories.
If your club is struggling and you want to talk to us, please contact your Community Group Leader, me, Brent or Chris to see how we can help.
Congratulations and thank you to Mark Pickering from Port Nicholson who is going to be the Assistant District Executive Secretary to Adrian Gregory which will hopefully relieve his workload.
Have a fabulous week and please register for the Summit. It’s going to be a fun weekend.
Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary friends across Oceania,
The countdown is officially on — and registrations are now open for the Rotary Oceania Summit 2026, taking place 20–22 March 2026 in the stunning Art Deco city of Napier, New Zealand.
This Summit is shaping up to be an unforgettable weekend of inspiration, impact, service and celebration, and we invite you to secure your place and be part of it.
We are excited to share a glimpse of our outstanding speaker line-up, with more to be announced soon:
Sir Anand Satyanand
Sir Anand Satyanand is a highly respected Wellingtonian and a long-standing, club-based Rotarian who has maintained a deep commitment to Rotary alongside a distinguished public service career. His roles have included Governor-General of New Zealand and Chancellor of the University of Waikato.
Sir Anand has taken an active interest in Rotary milestones and the modernisation of Rotary governance, contributing to Rotary events both across New Zealand and internationally. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and the recipient of a Rotary International Award of Honour for Public Service, recognising his enduring contribution to Rotary and the wider community.
Ritesh Patel
Speaking on: AI Demystified: “What Every Leader Needs to Know”
Ritesh Patel is a senior technology and digital transformation leader and a member of the executive leadership team at ASX-listed GWA Group, operating across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Known for his strategic clarity and people-first approach, Ritesh specialises in modernising organisations to deliver measurable commercial impact.
With over a decade of senior leadership experience, he has led large-scale digital, AI, analytics and transformation initiatives across distribution, retail and manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining GWA as CIO, Ritesh held senior transformation roles at Fletcher Building across ANZ and served as Chief Information & Digital Officer at Office Brands.
His work has been nationally recognised, including being ranked in the Top CIO50 Australia (2025) and named a finalist in the Asia-Pacific B2B Digital Transformation Awards. Ritesh holds an MBA from Macquarie Business School and a master’s in management information systems, alongside executive education from leading global institutions.
Each speaker brings fresh thinking, real-world impact and meaningful insight into the future of Rotary and community leadership.
Saturday Afternoon | Acts of Service
On Saturday afternoon, delegates will step beyond the conference walls and take part in hands-on Acts of Service, making a tangible difference in the Hawke’s Bay community. Delegates can choose from:
Beach Clean-Up – Join a Marine Parade beach clean-up and help protect our coastal environment
Pints for Polio – Support Rotary’s global mission to end polio while connecting with fellow Rotarians
Grab Bags Emergency Kit Assembly – Assemble emergency kits supporting families in disaster-prone regions of Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti
These projects are a powerful reminder of Rotary in action — local impact with global purpose.
Saturday Night | Great Gatsby Gala Dinner
Step back into the glamour of the 1920s at our Great Gatsby Gala Dinner, the social highlight of the Summit.
Dust off your finest flapper dresses, sharp suits and sparkling accessories for an evening of live entertainment, dancing, celebration and pure Napier flair. This will be a night of elegance, fun and unforgettable memories, shared with Rotarians from across Oceania.
Why Attend?
Two full days of inspiring speakers and future-focused conversations
Meaningful service projects you can be proud of
Opportunities to reconnect with old friends and make new ones
A true Hawke’s Bay experience, including Art Deco charm and hospitality
Optional home hosting with local Rotarians for a unique and affordable stay
This Summit is more than a conference — it is a celebration of Rotary across Oceania and the impact we create together.
The Istanbul Rotary Club is proud to announce the second year of its International Peace Essay Competition, building on the success of its 2024 launch alongside the International Rotary Peace Center and Presidential Peace Conference in Istanbul. This year’s theme, “A Gateway to Peace: An Education-Based Roadmap Shaped by Youth,” invites high school students aged 14–19 to submit an original English essay (maximum 500 words) exploring how education can help build a culture of peace.
The top three winners will be invited to Türkiye in May 2026 (expenses covered by the club) and will also receive a monetary award. The competition opens in December 2025, with submissions due by March 8, 2026. Winners will be announced on April 22, 2026, and awards will be presented on May 18, 2026 at the Rotary District 2420 Conference in Antalya. Essays should be submitted directly to PeaceEssay@istanbulrotary.org. Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact Clubs are encouraged to share this opportunity widely and support youth participation in this inspiring international initiative.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Rotary Peace Fellowships until 15 May. Rotary invites club presidents, district officers, and members to help promote peace by encouraging leaders in their communities to apply for this prestigious, fully funded opportunity.
Each year, Rotary awards up to 170 Peace Fellowships to dedicated peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds. This includes 50 fellows selected for master’s degree programs at partner universities across Asia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, and 120 fellows for professional development certificate programs at Makerere University (Uganda), Bahçeşehir University (Türkiye), and the new Rotary Peace Center at Symbiosis International University (India).
Rotary Peace Fellows use their training to strengthen peacebuilding efforts at local, regional, and global levels. Rotary and Rotaract members are encouraged to identify potential candidates within their networks and community organizations and refer them using Rotary’s simple referral form, helping ensure more changemakers learn about and apply for this life-changing fellowship.
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.
