It's been an incredibly busy month since our last Dispatch. Many clubs completed their PolioPlus events and will be submitting their funds for the programme. Polio is only a plane ride away from us. We are over 99% of the way there so we need to push on, finish the job and End Polio Now.
I was fortunate to attend the opening of Wellington Heritage Festival at Te Papa a few weeks ago. With over 160 events taking place from the Kapiti Coast to the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa and Wellington, it continues to be a fantastic Rotary initiated multi-community event.
In early November we had the Rotary South Pacific Zone 8 Conference in Melbourne. It was an informative and fun conference. We were able to discuss some of the benefits of the Rotary South Pacific (regionalisation) pilot while also discussing areas where it hasn't delivered the results we are after - some of the support services we were looking to have in place are still being worked on. But we have slowed our membership decline and many Districts have gained members since the beginning of July.
We have also been able to launch our Say NO to Domestic and Family Violence campaign with Rotary Foundation Chair Elect Gordon McInally last Monday evening. We were able to showcase Life Flight, Predator Free Wellington and Lifting the Lid on Youth Mental Health. Gordon was most taken by Lifting the Lid and believed it is a programme that can be replicated around the world - we will be looking for his help to make that happen! Thanks to all those who attended a made the event a success.
Thanks to Denise Church from RC of Wellington for arranging a close up viewing by helicopter of the areas tackled by Predator Free. We were also able to let Gordon know how Rotarian Jim Lynch conceived the idea of Zealandia and worked tirelessly to get it off the ground. Once proven successful, it was the catalyst for the Predator Free programme in Wellington. The Zealandia concept is being replicated in other New Zealand cities and hopefully we can push on to a Predator Free NZ!
It's great to see the Timor Leste Early Childhood Global Grant approved. Well done to our Foundation team, in particular Chair Irina Francken - see the article below.
It's also pleasing to see the Facebook 9940 Members page being regularly updated so that we can see what many of our clubs are up to locally - keep up the good work.
On a sad note, it was tragic to hear of past-Rotarian and Porirua Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi's passing from an accident at home. Kylie had been a President of the RC of Porirua. I had the opportunity to meet her at the Porirua Primary Schools Awards a few months ago and she was incredibly enthusiastic and energetic. She will be missed by many in her community. Thanks to Paula Williams RC Plimmerton for organising Rotarians to her powhiri and Glynis Denz for her tribute.
Let's not forget that we should make the best of our time with Rotary and we can do that with fellowship, fun and a sense of fulfilment.
Introducing “Say NO to Domestic and Family Violence”
Domestic and Family violence affects every community in New Zealand. The 2026Salvation Army State of the Nation report highlights that family violence remains one of the country's most significant social challenges, with police responding to a family harm incident approximately every three minutes. Behind these statistics are individuals, families, and children whose lives are profoundly affected.
Rotary has a unique opportunity to help raise awareness, encourage community conversations, and support prevention through its extensive network of clubs, volunteers, and community partnerships. We are not counsellors but we can raise awareness of support available within our communities. We are looking to build relationships and support with Women's Refuge, Shine, NZ Police Family Harm Teams, The Salvation Army, schools, councils, and other local community organisations.
This initiative was started successfully over a year ago in Rotary throughout Australia, and we are now ready to introduce it to New Zealand.
We will initially focus on two key activities:
Purple Fridays – encouraging Rotary members and community members to wear a purple Rotary T-shirt one Friday each month to raise awareness and start conversations about family violence.
A District Purple Walk in November or early December – aligned with Rotary clubs across Australia, bringing our communities together in support of family violence awareness and prevention.
We are looking for clubs to get in behind this national and zone initiative. This is not a fundraiser - the investment involves buying a T-shirt. Your President has received information about this initiative and the support is strong across all five Rotary districts.T-shirt orders are run as a minum of 50 at a time so you may want to connect with other clubs in your area to submit your orders. The Presidents have also been sent the A4 information leaflet that can be handed out to your community with information on teh programme and suggestions for geting help.
A suggestion is that RCL groups get together to determine where and when they would like to walk or have a marquee for their communities - strength in numbers will provide greater awreness.
I am incredibly excited to share some fantastic news about a project very close to our hearts: the Early Childhood Education in Timor-Leste Rotary Global Grant.
We launched this vital initiative together with UNICEF, the Rotary Club of Mana Tangata Breezeway On-line, and the Rotary Club of Dili Lafaek to give young children in Timor-Leste a better start in life.
Right now, a team of our Rotary friends is on the ground for the Rotary ASEAN Mission. I am absolutely thrilled to let you know that at the end of October they had an official meeting with His Excellency Dr. José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. They shared exactly what our District's Global Grant is achieving on the ground with the President.
A Massive Thank You to Our Project Champions
This milestone would not have been possible without the incredible dedication of our own D9940 members. I want to say a huge thank you to PDG Wayne Gordon and PDG Jocelyn Hogg from our District. Their tireless work, leadership, and passion have been the driving force behind this Global Grant, and we are so proud to see their efforts recognized at the highest international level. Also thanks must go to The Rotary Club of Wellington North club for their financial support helping to make this possible.
What Our Project is Doing
By joining forces with UNICEF, our Foundation funds are doing incredible work where it is needed most:
Opening Preschools: Setting up safe, welcoming spaces for young children to learn.
Training Teachers: Giving local educators the tools and training they need for play-based early learning.
Creating a Future: Giving children a strong educational foundation to help break the cycle of poverty.
Why This Meeting Matters
To have our project presented directly to a Head of State is a massive achievement. It shows just how much the government values and trusts Rotary's work. President Ramos-Horta is incredibly passionate about youth development, and his support will give our project wonderful national visibility.
Even though we are thousands of miles away, your support made this happen. Every donation and every bit of effort from our District 9940 family helped pave the way to the Presidential Palace.
Thank you to everyone who supports The Rotary Foundation. Together, we are truly changing lives.
Warm regards,
Irina Francken District Rotary Foundation Committee Chair (DRFCC)
Footnote:
A special thank you to Rotarian Irina Francken for the countless hours she has devoted to bringing this Global Grant together. Her knowledge, experience and valuable contacts throughout the ASEAN countries have been an enormous asset. Her willingness to also support and guide other clubs as they navigate the grant process is equally appreciated. Irina, your dedication and generosity with your time and expertise certainly do not go unnoticed, and we are extremely grateful for all that you do.
Now is a good time to review your personal charity contributions and your support of The Rotary Foundation.We all support charities in our local area and often a charity that has a very personal meaning for each of us.
I would hope that The Rotary Foundation has a high priority in your personal charity budget.Most of our Rotary Clubs support the Foundation. (And if MOST does not equal ALL it should!)But, in addition, you can support the Foundation with your personal contributions.
How many of you are a Centurion Member?The required sum is $NZ100 per year, less than a cup of coffee per week.Many Centurions contribute $150 per year (still less than a cup of coffee per week).This benefits the Foundation while costing you only $100 after the tax refund.
THIS?OR THIS!
Project Sunrise supports Columbian women coffee growers
You may have seen RC Johnsonville's Facebook post about their 12 October meeting on the subject of Shelterbags. Guests who attended the meeting by special invitation came from Rotary Clubs of Tawa, Wellington and Wellington North. The presentation featured Major Mat Badger from the Salvation Army in Johnsonville, which had been given 40 bags.
Mat shared very positive feedback on the warmth and waterproof qualities of the Shelterbags and their observable impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of the individuals who received the bags. The bags were considered very practical, being the size of a large duffel bag and able to be carried (and stored) quite easily. Mat said one individual had valued his bag so highly that, after being allocated permanent housing, he carefully cleaned and returned it, to ensure someone else could get the same benefit.
Looking at the prospect of extending the distribution of Shelterbags to Salvation Army outlets across Johnsonville, Tawa, Porirua and the Hutt Valley, Mat confirmed a target of 100. He is very willing to speak to any club that would like to hear from him further. The trial run, using supplies funded with help from ROZOPS, has emphatically proven the value and impact of the bags.
RC Wellington representatives told the meeting that its members had delivered 57 bags (47 from ROZOPS and 10 from Wellington) to the Compassion Soup Kitchen in central Wellington and had been assured that a further supply in the order of 100 would be very much welcomed. RC Carterton provided 3 Shelterbags to Kim's Way in Masterton - whose response they described as 'ecstatic'.
In combination, the Salvation Army and the Compassion Soup Kitchen have affirmed a desirable target of 200 Shelterbags for the coming winter, working as our partner agencies in the project.
We are asking our District to help spread the word to every Club from the Kapiti Coast to Upper Hutt and across Wellington City. A small contribution from many clubs at $150 per bag will easily spread the load.
Presidents/Secretaries/Treasurers - Please ensure you complete the forms for the insurers as soon as possible. If your club has not completed the insurance return, please contact District Insurance Officer Barry Bailey bjbvan@gmail.com
Health and Safety
Please ensure that your club has a current Health and Safety policy in place. This is important for ensuring that you are considering the safety of your members.
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.
