A highlight of the past couple of weeks has been the annual Porirua Primary School Leadership Awards led by the Rotary Club of Plimmerton in conjunction with the Porirua City Council. With the main criteria for these Year 6-8 tamariki being the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self, the citations highlighted just how focused they are on putting their best foot forward and achieving that goal. Each of the 60+ students seemed to grow in stature as they walked across the stage to receive their award and Rotary pin from Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and myself – it was a wonderful celebration for students, teachers and whanau. Well done tamariki and well done Rotary Club of Plimmerton!
Another wonderful event was the Big Hats High Tea run by the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley. With a packed out, could barley move, Lower Hutt Bowling Club, the fun started as soon as we walked in the door to get out of the fairly horrible weather. After the first glass of bubbly, we forgot about the weather and enjoyed the tasty high-tea treats, mulled wine and auction. Close to $20,000 was raised for Life Flight Trust to help fit out the fixed wing planes. It was a great event and great effort as we continue our commitment to Life Flight.
A number of Rotarians also attended the Wellington Hospital Foundation function to support the Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Heath Service building at the Lower Hutt Hospital. It is a project made possible by Sir Mark’s generosity that will transform mental health services across the Wellington region. There is further funding required to assist with building purpose built therapeutic landscape areas - something we may look to support.
There seems to have been a spate of serious earthquakes and RNZWCS have activated several emergency fund raising efforts. The latest being Columbia. If you or your club are able to support this effort, please follow the details provided.
This week we will be sending out the invitation to our evening with Past RI President Gordon McInally. We only have Gordon in Wellington for one night so we will have a dinner event at the Wellington Club where he will be speaking in his capacity as the Chair Elect for the Rotary Foundation. He takes over as Chair in July next year.
There is plenty going on. Chris Eales is in the Rotary Sydney office for DG training - which reminds us that there is only just over a week to apply for or nominate candidates for the District Governor role for the 2028-29 year which will represent the new combined district.
Enjoy the next couple of weeks with fun, fellowship and fulfilment..
Expressions of Interest are sought for the role of District Governor 2028-29 - LAST CHANCE - CLOSING 31st AUGUST!
This role provides an exciting opportunity to lead a new Rotary District that will commence on 1 July 2028. The new District will incorporate the current Districts 9940 and 9999. The title of the new District has yet to be determined.
The successful applicant will immediately assume the role of District Governor-Nominee (DGN) and be prepared to attend DGN learning and development in Melbourne in late October 2026. They will liaise and work, as appropriate, with the current G-Trains in both District’s 9940 and 9999.
Rotary International (RI) has recently ‘redistricted’, based on membership, which has been declining in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands in recent years. Redistricting is the redefining of District boundaries across the Rotary world. This process occurs approximately every eight (8) years. RI’s policies require sustainable Districts of between 2000 and 2700 Rotarian members.
Expressions of Interest are to be completed and in the hands of the Nominations Team by 31 August 2026. Please include a cover letter and CV.
A job description will be available on request.
The Nominations team will be led by joint Immediate Past District Governors (IPDG’s)
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.
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.
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.
Interplast is one of Rotary's longest-standing humanitarian partners, providing free reconstructive surgery, allied health care, and medical training throughout the Asia-Pacific. Since its establishment in 1983, thousands of children and adults affected by burns, cleft lip and palate, congenital conditions, hand deformities, and traumatic injuries have received life-changing treatment that would otherwise be unavailable.
What makes Interplast unique is its focus on building lasting healthcare capacity. Volunteer teams of surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists, hand therapists, and other allied health professionals work alongside local clinicians, not only performing surgery but also providing mentoring and training. This ensures that knowledge and skills remain within local communities, improving patient care well into the future.
A wonderful example of this partnership is Samoa, where Interplast surgical teams have been working with Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital for the past 17 years. Alongside life-changing surgery, allied health clinicians provide vital rehabilitation and physiotherapy, helping patients achieve the best possible recovery while mentoring their Samoan counterparts.
Our district is fortunate to have Past District Governor Carol Green serving as our Interplast District Chair (IDC).
Interplast is a wonderful example of Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self.
Through the generosity of Rotary clubs, donors, and dedicated medical volunteers, lives are transformed every year—one patient, one family, and one community at a time.
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