With registrations for the Rotary International Convention opening on 17 September 2026, now is the time to get excited about Barcelona!

Importantly, the special promotional registration rate will only be available for FIVE DAYS!! 

Save USD $200 – Club member, non-member or guest, age 31 or over

Save USD $100 – Club member, non-member or guest, age 30 or under

Time: 05.45 pm

Venue: Bowling Club Tawa – 13 Davies Street

Cost is $35 per person (includes a two-course meal). Drinks are additional and can be purchased at the bar.

Please RSVP by 18 September 2026 at tawarotaryclub@gmail.com

It's great to see an article on Radio New Zealand news about the ShelterBag project. 

Now that the first container load has arrived and been distributed, the project is moving into it's next phase 

and our ROZops team is picking this up as a project that can be coordinated nationally.

To see the article:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1062588/watch-shelter-bags-for-homeless-the-starting-block-to-cope-with-frigid-nights

The RADAR Award programme is designed to acknowledge an employee, irrespective of age or vocation, who, in the eyes of his or her employer, displays outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to his or her job.

The RADAR Awards programme has been added into the 2026 list of projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson. Its purpose is to acknowledge excellence in the workplace and recognise individuals whose outstanding service and contributions often go under the radar and deserve public recognition.  These RADAR Awards are part of the wider Rotary Club of Port Nicholson's Awards programme.

Nominating candidates for RADAR Awards

Nominations are invited from local Wellington businesses and organisations. The programme recognises individuals who have consistently provided excellent service to their workplace and community.  Closing date for applications is 14 September.  

The inaugural RADAR Awards presentations will be held on 14 October 2026. As this is a pilot year, the first nominees have been approached by Rotarians. In future years, the programme will be held earlier in the year and applications will be sought from Wellington-based businesses.

A maximum of four RADAR Awards will be presented each year.

Selection and 2026 RADAR Awards Breakfast
Individuals who are nominated will be invited to attend a selection interview. Successful nominees will then be invited to attend the RADAR Awards breakfast at 7.00 am on 14 October at The Wellington Club, Level 5, 88 The Terrace, Wellington. This is the usual Club meeting time and venue for Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson.

The Awards function will be dedicated to acknowledging the successful nominees. There will be no first, second, or overall winners.  All successful nominees will be recognised equally. Each recipient will receive a handsome plaque and a certificate.

Fellow workmates and management are warmly invited to attend the breakfast and support their colleague. Each successful nominee and their nominator will receive a complimentary breakfast. 

Supporters attending on behalf of their organisation are asked to register for the breakfast at a cost of $30 per person.

Confirmation of attendees will be required one week prior to the RADAR Awards breakfast.

More information on the 2026 RADAR Awards:

Click on the links below to download the following documents

‘RADAR Awards’ Guidelines

Nomination Form 

Complete and email to slawton745@gmail.com before 14 September, 2026.

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 kit hands‑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

Save the Date!

An evening with Rotary International Past President Gordon McInally and his wife Heather on Monday 2^nd November – 

The Wellington Club

5.30pm Welcome for a 6pm start. Finish by 8.30pm

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. 

RYPEN is aimed at young people in the 16 –17 age group who are still at school and are not likely to be selected for Youth Exchange or later for RYLA, but who possess qualities of decency, persistence and application and who deserve further encouragement. 

It is suggested that students who have participated in previous outdoor education activities do not attend e.g. Outward Bound, Spirit of New Zealand, or any college outdoor pursuit type course. For details of the programme contact the convener.

RYPEN 2026

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

We are incredibly proud of our Global Grant project, directed at Early Childhood Education project in Timor-Leste.  By working hand-in-hand with UNICEF and the local community, we will change lives by providing Timor-Leste children the access to education they deserve, which will strengthen their communities and fledgling independent pacific nation.

The sponsor club is my own, Rotary Club of Mana Tangata, with my own interest stemming from being a NZ Army Peacekeeper deployed to East Timor in 1999-2000 as part of the initial Australian & New Zealand stabilising force.  There is a part of my heart that belongs to Timor-Leste, and her people.
 

We are now looking toward the future with Stage II project planning. This next phase is all about sustainability. Our goal is to ensure that the early learning programs we are initiating become a permanent, community-led success. We are focusing on empowering parents and school committees to own these programs, ensuring that the literacy, numeracy, and play-based learning gains made today last for generations.

 

The Opportunity - Your pledge…

 

We are seeking Club & District partners to help us reach our funding goal of USD $74,400. By pledging your support, you are not just funding a project; you are investing in the cognitive, social, and emotional development of the children, families and communities of Timor-Leste.

 

Would your club be open to supporting this initiative? I have all the project overviews and documentation ready and would love to present this project to your members.  Together, we can continue this mission and ensure that every child in Timor-Leste has a fair start.  

 

Please reach out to me directly!

 

Warm regards,

Wayne Gordon

wayne.gordon@refresh.co.nz

 

Polio Eradication Update

Welcome to the Sixth Polio Newsletter of 2026.

This is my final Newsletter as the District 9940 Chair for End Polio, after having major surgery 2 years ago, and deciding to retire from paid work earlier this year my wife and I have decided to spend more time travelling. 

I wont be lost to Rotary or End Polio, but we need to the freedom to be able to do what we want when we want.

I have enjoyed the seven years in the role after taking over from the late Michael Fagg, who was a true champion for the cause, we have been through some difficult times over this period, with COVID boing the major one. 

Lyn Connor is taking over and will bring a new perspective to the role, and I wish her well, and will be here to support her, thank you Lyn for picking up this role moving forward.

As we work our way to eradicating Polio as I mentioned last month we only need to look at what is happening with the current Ebola outbreak for inspiration to continue with our task, and lets not forget about Bird Flu which is getting closer to our shores having reached Australia. As part of this newsletter we will compare the Polio Numbers for 2024, 2045 and this year and also reprint some fundraising ideas for the new incoming Boards. If there is any support we can give you to either promote the End Polio programme, or with fund raising do not hesitate to contact Lyn Connor - Kapiti Club - lcealconn@outlook.com.

Finally thank you to everyone for their support over the last seven years, and I look forward to the eradication of Polio in my lifetime.

2026 

For more information hit Read more…

2026 District Changeover

We had a wonderful celebration for the District Changeover on Saturday. 

District Governor Carol Green handed the Governor chains and Taupriripiri (rakau korero/talking stick) to incoming District Governor Brent Gerrard.

We were very fortunate to have Dame Dorothy Spotswood and Sir Mark Dinajtschik with us and we were able to honour Dame Dorothy with a PHF award for services to the community. Dame Dorothy and Sir Mark have been the philanthropists behind the recent Te Wao Nui Child Health Service and Hospital, the new Sir Mark Dinajtschik Mental Health Centre currently under construction in Lower Hutt and the Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital in central Wellington, which will open in 2028. This is just a small taste of their philanthropy work and Rotarians have in the past been able to support some of their projects and look forward to continuing that support.

Further recipients of PHFs were:

Graham Evans - District Treasurer who is passing on the role to Linda Wellington. Jocelyn Hogg - Past District Governor and Rotary Foundation Co-Chair, Satellite club founder, 

Nigel Miller - Husband, major behind the scenes supporter of DG Carol, past President and Board member of Lifting the Lid. District Governor Carol Green for her services to the District.

Also recognised for their services were:

Helen Algar - Chair of District Finance and Risk Committee, past Assistant Governor. David Shackleton - District Membership Chair, past President and Assistant Governor, Board member Lifting the Lid.

We had presentations from Vito Lo Lacono from the Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital, Judy Bain for Big Hats High Tea event for Life Flight Trust and David Shackleton, Jane Patterson and Bill Day for Lifting the Lid on Youth Mental Health. 

Chris Eales - incoming District Governor-Elect, gave a brief introduction and set the scene for being our last District Governor for 9940 from 2027-2028 before we are merged with our South Island colleagues in 9999. This merger has been ratified by the Rotary International Board at their meeting in Taipei just over a week ago and as such we will be on the hunt for a District Governor nominee for the new combined district.

Incoming District Governor Brent has a focus on membership and the Rotary Foundation. With membership, he believes that our club experience is what keeps us as Rotarians and is also what can draw new members to us. If your club experience is what Rotarians and new members are looking for, then you can't help but grow. The Rotary Foundation is our charity of choice and is a vital platform for funding projects with District and Global Grants - our giving to Foundation has dropped over the last few years and this directly affects the Districts ability to fund many of the projects we would like to move ahead with. Our End Polio campaign is of vital importance to the world. We are down to 9 reported cases of wild polio infections and after a falre up after Covid, it has taken several years to get the numbers back to single figures -  we need to finish the job.

Incoming Rotary President Yinka Babalola urges us to be better than our best and his message is for us to Create a Lasting Impact - we have the tools, we need to get out there and just do it! 

Thanks to all of you who helped to make the District Changeover a success. Particularly PDG John Mohi and members of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson and the staff at Boulcott Farms Heritage Golf Club.

We still have some District roles that are available if you are keen and would like to step up:

Regional Community Leader (RCL) - Wairarapa

Regional Community Leader (RCL) - Hutt Valley

The RCL roles are becoming more important as the regionalisation programme moves forward. We have had some very good results with some of our RCL teams and look forward to ensuring this is replicated throughout the district.

Rotary District Stewardship - a very important role ensuring that we follow the rules with regards to Rotary Foundation funds.

Rotary District Public Image Chair - can you bring your marketing flair to the table and help us to shine in our communities in the District and beyond!

If you are interested in any of these roles please get in touch: brent.gerrard@outlook.com or call me on 021 725060

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR:

District Changeover 2026

11.00am 27th June

District Changeover will be at Boulcott Farm Heritage Golf Club in Lower Hutt again this year - it was so good last year we decided to go again this year!

To assist with catering numbers please register here:

Cost is $20 per person. We will have a mixture of food types (gluten free, vegan, no nuts etc) 

See you there!

Cans for a Cause!!

Background:

New Zealand is facing a cost-of-living crisis with the number of New Zealanders needing to access food banks dramatically increasing. 14% of New Zealand’s population is considered to be in need of assistance to provide food for their families each week.

Rotary has a long history of supporting community initiatives within New Zealand, our service dates back over 100 years and we are recognised as people of action.

Rotary Clubs across Aotearoa New Zealand are joining together to help fight food poverty in our local communities.

We are aiming to collect 1 million cans or non-perishable food items during June. This will be the largest ever food collection campaign in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The food collected will be distributed to local food banks or equivalent to help feed hungry families.

Objectives:

• To collect 1 million cans or non-perishable food items
• To partner with local food banks, maraes and charities to distribute the food items
• To partner with local schools, retirement villages, community groups and businesses to act as collections sites
• Raise awareness of the pressing need to continuously support food banks across New Zealand

This campaign will run from Monday 1^th June to Sunday 8th June 2026

Register by Monday 1 June by Google Form

Out District 9940 contact is Chris Eales ChrisE_DGN9940@outlook.com

We are committed to helping Rotary Clubs achieve this goal. Our next update will provide further information.

Don't forget the…

EPIC Day of Service

Picture the incredible power of every club in the South Pacific coming together, each taking on a project that ignites their passion, all on the same day! Imagine the energy as we unite to make a difference and reveal Rotary’s true impact within our communities.

In 2025, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and community partners from five continents, eight countries, twenty states, fifty-seven districts, and 539 clubs joined forces in 613 projects, with 6,557 volunteers serving together. 

Nine of those clubs were in Rotary South Pacific—just think how much greater our impact will be if we step up even further in 2026. The possibilities are limitless, and the ripple effect of our service can inspire real, lasting change.

 

Save the Date: 16 May 2026 - Epic Day of Service

Do a project you’re already doing, just do it on 16 May 2026 and leverage the power of Rotary for global impact. Take this to your clubs, have a think about one of your current projects that you could action on the Epic Day of Service. 

District Assembly

If you want to learn more about Rotary in your District and outside of your club come to District Assembly. 

If you are attending please fill out the form by clicking the link here:

Register Here - District Assembly 

and President Elect Learning and Development Seminar 

Fill out form

Click here for the Programme

Rotary District Assemblies are annual training events for members and incoming club officers to learn about Rotary programs, plan for the upcoming year, and network.

Why do we hold a District Assembly: - to train club leaders (President-elect, secretaries, treasurers, and committee chairs) and provide updates on District goals. We discuss the machinery of Rotary, leadership, membership growth, the Rotary Foundation and governance.

We have a special guest from our Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office (RISPPO) based in Sydney:

This is a great opportunity to connect with other Rotarians within the district. 

This years District Assembly is centrally located in Whanganui and will take place at:

The Quakers Settlement

76 Virginia Road, Otamatea

Whanganui

Saturday 10:00 am - 3.30pm

President Elect Learning Seminar 

(President Elects to attend Assembly also)

Saturday 3.30pm - 5.30pm

Sunday 8.30am - 1.30pm.

John Prendergast - District Learning and Development Chair - 027 220 965 john.donna@xtra.co.nz 

Brent Gerrard DGE - 021 725060 brent.gerrard@outlook.com

Rotary’s impact on youth mental health has recently been highlighted by RNZ, with the Lifting the Lid programme praised for helping students access counselling within just 24 hours. Schools across the Wellington region say the Rotary funded initiative is making a real difference by ensuring young people receive timely support, without long waiting lists or financial barriers.

Since launching in Kapiti in 2020, the programme has supported hundreds of counselling sessions across participating schools in Kapiti, Hutt Valley and the Hawkes Bay, helping students build resilience and improve wellbeing. Demand continues to grow, demonstrating just how important this Rotary initiative has become in supporting local youth.

This is Rotary in action – making a meaningful difference when it matters most.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/587604/scheme-paying-for-counselling-within-24hrs-making-a-difference

Stay connected with everything happening across our District by following our Facebook page. It’s a great way to keep up with projects, events, stories, and the incredible work our Rotary Clubs are doing in our communities.

If you haven’t already, head over and give the page a like — and while you’re there, help spread the word by sharing our posts with your networks. Every like and share helps showcase the impact Rotary is making and strengthens our connection with the wider community.

Follow us here:
https://www.facebook.com/Rotary9940

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.

To donate, please go to the following link: https://donations.rawcs.com.au/49-2025-26

The Rotary Club of Petone will be celebrating it’s 

75th Anniversary on Tuesday 28th April 2026

….anybody who has had an association or an interest in the activities of the Rotary Club would be welcome to join this festive occasion.

The event will be held at The Petone Club on Udy Street Petone commencing around 6.00pm and will include a 3 course buffet style meal, 

plenty of time for socialising and reminiscing , including an update of some of the Rotary activities in the local community.

This is an interim notice to mark your calendar now, to reserve the date if you are interested in attending this event. 

Further notices will be issued closer to the time and as more details of the program become available. You can also send an email to the address below

 if you wish to register your interest to receive further updates. This will further assist in the event planning for catering purposes.

Best wishes,

Gerry Pallo

Petone Rotary 75th Anniversary Convenor gernpa@actrix.gen.nz

If you're thinking of heading to Taipei with two hundred other Australia/NZ/PI attendees…

and 35,000 Rotarians from around the world…

There's only 6 weeks to go…it's going to be a fantastic Convention!!

If you are going, get in touch with Brent Gerrard as there is a 9940 contingent going. Email brent.gerrard@outlook.com

Shelterbag Project - a Nationwide response by Rotary to rough sleeping homeless 

Urgent Funding  Needed!

     

Life Flight Trust and Rotary District 9940 Regional Children's Health Trust

Thanks to the significant number of Clubs that have contributed either via the Children's Health Trust or directly to the Life Flight Trust. 

Our total donated is just over $113,000!!

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Life Flight Trust and the critical service that they provide across New Zealand does not lessen. Life Flight Trust extend their thanks to our district for the continuing support and contributions to help with purchasing vital lifting equipment.

Support needed for Rongdal Community School, Vanuatu

Rongdal Community School in Port Vila, Vanuatu, provides education for children from families with little or no income.

To make this possible, the school runs a community garden. Parents contribute by working in the gardens, and the produce is sold at the local market to help cover school costs for their child(ren)

Because travel home is expensive, around 70 students live at the school. A new boys’ dormitory is almost complete, but the boys are still sleeping on the floor.

The next step is to provide bunks so they can rest safely, comfortably and be ready for the new school day.

Left - Current bunks, Centre - new bunk block, Right - the schools children

👉 Our immediate goal is 20 bunks for 40 boys.

Each bunk set costs $300

Every contribution will make a direct difference in the lives of these children.

Together, we can give these children the dignity of a proper bed.

To offer support to BUY A BUNK, please contact Jocelyn

Jocelyn.rotary9940@gmail.com ☎ 027 3303 487

The story behind this Nationwide Rotary Project to assist the homeless started with the identification of Shelterbags by an Adelaide Rotary Club as a possible means of support for rough sleepers there and have now been picked up by other clubs across Australia.  The story spotted by Waitara Rotary is in the  June 2024 RDU: https://rotarydownunder.org/shelterbags-for-the-homeless-in-south-australia/ .  Through the work by the Adelaide Rotarians the project has gone nationwide through Australian clubs : https://www.shelterbags.org.au/

So far 2,900 Shelterbags have been distributed in Australia.  The aim is to replicate the project in New Zealand, and deliver Shelterbags free of charge to people living on the streets through existing social agencies who already work with the homeless in New Zealand.   This project will;

“Provide Comfort and Dignity for the Homeless Rough Sleepers in New Zealand”

Shelterbags are manufactured in South Africa by Sheltersuit SA Foundation.  Sheltersuit SA Foundation is a South African non-profit organization that provides immediate shelter to people experiencing homelessness while also creating jobs and skills development opportunities. It is an offshoot of the global Sheltersuit Foundation, which was founded in the Netherlands in 2014 by Bas Timmer after a friend's father died of hypothermia while sleeping on the street.

Sheltersuit SA Foundation manufactures a product called the "Shelterbag," which is a lightweight, portable, waterproof, and windproof sleeping bag.  The Shelterbag is manufactured to accommodate an additional blanket for extra warmth. The Shelterbags are produced from quality, locally sourced materials. These partnerships have been nurtured to ensure Sheltersuit SA Foundation are able to negotiate fair prices every three months.

Through a skills development and training programme Sheltersuit SA Foundation  has enabled previously unemployed and talented seamstresses to earn while they learn. All the team members are breadwinners for their families and support up to 6 family members with their income stability.

Waitara Rotary (https://www.facebook.com/BryanVickeryMedia/videos/the-rotary-club-of-waitara-bell-block-districts-are-importing-50-shelter-bags-fr/933763454877500/ ) contacted Australian Rotarians and arranged for the importation of 50 Shelterbags. Teaming up with social agencies in Taranaki these have been distributed to and greatly appreciated by rough sleepers in New Plymouth.  Partnering with local social service providers who distribute and register these bags means that Shelterbags help create the first important step to get people off the street through the additional wrap around support offered by social agencies.  A further community benefit is that CBDs and retailers who suffer from unsightly bedding clutter in their doorways can expect these to reduce as Shelterbags roll up and are easily carried over the shoulder during the day. Because Shelterbags offer wind and weather protection, it also allows rough sleepers more options for shelter spots outside of CBD shop awnings. 

A 20ft container that will hold 1,200 Shelterbags can be in Auckland by next May for the Winter of 2026. 

Estimated number of rough sleepers; 800 Auckland, 141 Wellington, 270 Christchurch – approx. 1200 without other cities.

The SA team have advised 1,200 bags will take 3-4 months to make. Costing based on the Waitara exercise and confirmed manufacturing costs and current exchange rates indicates full costs per bag in the order of $150 - $160.  We are aiming to deliver bags to clubs at $NZ150 ea  for distribution free of charge to local social agencies. 

In Auckland there is already support from Auckland Council and other agencies including :

LinkPeople  - https://linkpeople.co.nz/

Visionwest  -  https://visionwest.org.nz/ 

Auckland City Mission  - https://www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz/

Kahui Tu Kaha  - https://kahuitukaha.co.nz/

Salvation Army  - https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/ 

Lifewise - https://www.lifewise.org.nz/

In other centres we anticipate links with local agencies such as The People’s Project https://www.thepeoplesproject.org.nz/ and Project Orange https://orangesky.org.nz/, and others (eg YMCA, Salvation Army, PARS)  that clubs elect to work with.

Detailed planning is underway to confirm delivery and devanning in Auckland and the subsequent distribution but there is keen interest from Auckland Council and  Social Service providers who have regular contact with homeless and rough sleepers in Auckland as well as in Wellington and Christchurch. 

The bags provide warm dry durable shelter that could be a desirable Rotary branded item that will meet an immediate need.  

Rotarians will need to fund, fundraise, organise storage and distribution between clubs and link with existing social providers.  This could be a high-profile nationwide project that puts clubs in touch with other organisations and attracts the attention of potential new members with a great project on home turf – Kiwis helping Kiwis doing it tough.   To make this happen a commitment to funding is required with $45,000 committed and delivered by 30^th October and a further $45,000 by 20^th November.

Milestone Dates

• $45,000 raised and available by 30^th October 2025
• A second tranche of $45,000 by 20^th November 2025
• 3^rd tranche of  $30,000 by  15^th January 2026
• 4^th tranche of $30,000 by end February 2026
• Balance to fund through to end March 2026
• Ship from Cape Town – Target 1^st March
• Arrival NZ port – 1^st  May 2026 latest
• Distribution complete – 31 May 2026 

With the overall project cost estimated to hit ~ $180k, committed finance is needed early. Whanganui RC has already committed to finance 40 bags they see are needed in Wanganui!  Get in quick with your pledge.

We seek your consideration and support for this project with a commitment that enables the milestones to be met.

Charitable Donations should be made to: ROZOPS Ltd – Special Projects 06-0193-0905286-007 using “Shelterbag” in the particulars field and your club (or individual name) in the reference field. Donations by individuals will receive a donations receipt to allow for a 33% IRD rebate.

Contact for further details and confirmation of support.

Len Houwers – Waitara Rotary len.houwers@aretelimited.com – 0274-445-861 

“Go Fast Alone. Go Far Together” was the slogan of RYLA Oceania’s Elevate which I have had the enormous privilege of attending in the Blue Mountains, Australia this past week. 

Elevate is the flagship programme of RYLA Oceania designed to bring together leaders from all across Australia and New Zealand - most of whom have participated in a RYLA programme within their district before - to recharge, reconnect and rise to the next level of their leadership journey. 

It was spectacular! I don’t think my brain has stopped whirring since getting off the plane and hitting the ground running back here in NZ. I feel invigorated and deeply grounded and connected to my purpose, goals and community. RYLA opened the door to this, and Elevate has provided a further match to the fire to ignite even further growth and expansion through the delivery of impactful tools and strategies, reflection and connection. 

District 9940 Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment - RYPEN!  A fantastic program for our youth, aged 15 - 17 years old. 

Notice from our local RI Office:

Rotaract & Interact Citation 2019-20 Submissions - Extended to 21st August

Applications for Rotary Committees 2021-22 - submissions by 15th August

Update 25 January

Its that exciting time of year again.

  The NZ (all districts) RYE outbound student contingent at Auckland Airport