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.
