According to the New Zealand Meteorological Service, an average of 10 tropical cyclones form in the tropical South Pacific each year between November and April. Of those, about one will affect New Zealand as an ex-tropical cyclone, most often in February or March. Unfortunately, over the last six weeks we have seen the arrival of Cyclone Hale, Cyclone Gabrielle, Cyclone Judy and Cyclone Kevin.
The damage in Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and the Hawkes Bay is so hard to believe and I'm not sure that we have seen an event such as this since the earthquakes in Christchurch more than 10 years ago. Our clubs were asked to donate to many funds to support initiatives being run in support of our communities. We want to thank those Clubs, Club Trusts, Rotary Trusts, and individuals who donated to the funds. Without this effort we would not be in a position to now support more strongly in Auckland.
Many have asked in regards to the District Governors' Emergency Grant that is available through Rotary International. This application has been submitted but at present, due to both the war in the Ukraine, Earthquakes in Turkiye/Syria, and the fact that 2 other grants for cyclones in Fiji, plus the Volcano eruption in Tonga alongside the subsequent Tsunami, these need to be finalised. Work is being urgently resolved to close these grants and release the funds that we need.
Clubs at this time, however, can make application to RNZWCS as they have received funds via donations as well.
NZ Floods and Cyclone Gabrielle - Appeals
RAWCS has received a response estimated at $20K to date. Too early to consider proposals from clubs. RNZWCS est. $65K to date. Email sent by RNZWCS Chair Tony to DG’s in affected districts inviting clubs to submit proposals for funding their community response.
We have attached the application forms for clubs to submit. Please make application asap to support your communities.
Allan Smith, District Governor (DG) 2022-23 of Rotary District 9920 paid an official visit to Tonga, accompanied by his wife Sue, from 1st to 6th March 2023. During their visit they were hosted and supported by members of the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa (RCN) and current President Marcellina Wolfgramm Haapai. Their visit was the first by a District Governor in over 3years and this trip enabled them to share updates from across the district, share best practice and discuss opportunities that will be offered from the upcoming reform program aimed at making Rotary a more dynamic organisation, supporting the communities it operates in.
What a pleasure to meet with the RC Nuku’alofa (RCN) and the team that is doing incredible things. Read the attached media release on just some of the projects and events that we participated in. The Rotary Club of Ballarat in Australia have been a great supporter of the Colleges and installed Dentistry Units that any school would be proud of.
Thank you, the Nuku’alofa Rotary team, for hosting us and we have certainly come away with fond memories. Be strong and proud of what is being achieved in your community.
When considering the current events over the last 6 weeks, registrations for the conference were at a level that the committee had to make the difficult decision to cancel the event. We are saddened by the situation, but pragmatic over the decision made.
We were excited and looking forward to the event with a programme that would have been highly regarded. For those who supported the conference Kirsten will be making your refunds available over the next week. If you do not receive a refund please contact Kirsten at Kirsten Hawke
We will now look forward to changeover when Sue and I can recognise those Rotarians who have gone above and beyond for the District to make our year to date such a success.
Where has the year gone so far?
It is hard to believe that 2 months has passed this year already, and so much has happened.
RC Counties Manukau having their 1st fundraiser event at Maraetai
A break for a holiday at the Beach House (go away rain ☹)
Flood emergency support meetings
Regionalisation meetings
Auckland South big Las Vegas night and dinner with the Mayor
Half Moon Bay RC visit
Visit to the Mens Shed
Polio Cruise Night
Chinese New Year celebrations with the Harbourside club
Visit Tonga and the Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa
DG Cluster visit to Counties Manukau and Botany Rotary Clubs
We look forward to attending the Taiwan Day on Friday 10th being held at Victory Convention Centre (98 Beaumont St Freemans Bay, Auckland)
The year ahead.
This is also exciting for us and now that the conference has been cancelled we can look forward to finalising our club visits in Auckland with a Cluster meeting in Pukekohe, Pohutukawa Coast and then off to Fiji to visit Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa, Savusavu, Taveuni Island. We then head to Samoa and American Samoa in May and then we celebrate with Jennifer Jones in Melbourne at the Rotary International Convention.
Sue and I look forward to meeting the many Rotarians that we are still to meet.
SPPEDS has now been delivered.
Congratulations to the SPPEDS team in delivering a great programme to our Presidents Elect. You should be looking forward to your years and Plan now. Many thanks to Edith for her facilitation and planning as part of this programme and we look to her continued development with her team in preparing for LEDS in May.
Your Club Succession plan
Your club team is your succession plan and new membership is vital to the club to ensure that there are many successful Rotary years ahead. Look out for a special meeting inviting club Membership Directors and interested members to come to a further workshop early April. We look forward to your attendance and participation.
Noel Holyoake obituary
HOLYOAKE, Noel Victor. Passed away peacefully on Saturday 4 March 2023 at home, as he wanted, with his family beside him, aged 91 years. Beloved husband to Betty for 67 years, dearly loved father and father-in-law of Kay and Craig, Grant and Rachael, Scott and Tania. Adored Grandad of Nicola and Brad, Stephanie and David, Laura and Ant, Alex and Ali, Victoria, Celine, and Blake. Great Grandad to Georgia, Samuel, Camilla and Matea. A commemoration of Noel's life will be held at the All Saints Chapel, Purewa Cemetery, Meadowbank, on Friday March 10 at 12noon. In lieu of flowers the family has asked donations be made to Noel's pet charity Trees for Survival,
On the 24 February 2023, a hearty group of Rotarians from various parts of both Australia and New Zealand braved the continuing terrible Auckland weather, determined to have a great time.
They boarded the Ocean Eagle – a double decker party boat – and set sail on a surprisingly smooth Auckland Harbour Cruise that exceeded expectations.
Captain Carrie and his crew were fantastic. The wine and music were flowing, giving confidence to a very vibrant dance floor. A wonderful array of food was provided by catering superstars Let’s Eat.
Special guests on board the cruise included; Past RI President Ian Riseley and his wife Juliet, three Regional Zone Leaders, many Past District Governors, two current Governors, Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotary, totalling 70 in all.
All on board had an absolute ball, and we give special mention (and appreciation) to the jocularity and camaraderie shown throughout the raffle ticketing. At the end of the night, everyone was a winner, as was the End Polio Campaign. What a wonderful way to have a good time, for a great cause!
Charles Miller is looking for clubs to share their Club's project triumphs. What are your summer projects?
The following is shared by the the Rotary Club of Newmarket.
The Auckland Garden DesignFest is a biennial event that showcases up to 18 individual high quality residential gardens and gives the public the opportunity to view these gardens and meet the designers. The AGDF is an initiative of the Garden Design Society of New Zealand and the Rotary Club of Newmarket. Entry to the gardens is by ticketholders only and all profits from the event go to nominated charities.
The popularity of the festival has grown significantly since the inaugural event which was held in 2011 and record numbers in excess of 1,200 visitors attended the 2022 event. All funds raised by the AGDF after the deduction of costs are donated to the chosen charities, all of which are instrumental in supporting those at risk in our communities and with a specific focus on CHILDREN and YOUNG ADULTS.
The charities supported by the 2022 event are Lifeline, KidsCan, Oke, and Garden To Table. The networking, planning, organising and executing that an event of this size requires is herculean, but also fun and tremendous self-development. Younger and newer Rotarians gain huge confidence and satisfaction from contributing and growing their networks and skills. Going places? Join Rotary.
If so, the Harold Thomas Rotary Trust may be able to help.
What is the Harold Thomas Rotary Trust all about?
The trust was established by Rotary International Past President Harold Thomas (Rotary Club of Auckland) in 1973. In 1985 the trust received a magnificent gift from Past District Governor Bernie Ross (Rotary Club of Manurewa) and his wife, which added greatly to the capital of the trust. The Trust has available some $100,000 for distribution each year through Rotary clubs.
The Trust relies primarily on investment income, donations are not solicited.
The Trustees are all Rotarians and give their time free
Its purpose is to:
Assist financially any child in NZ or Pacific Islands in need of medical care / treatment in NZ, incl associated costs while in NZ
Provide medical assistance for children in NZ or elsewhere
For charitable purposes
For medical research
It accepts applications from Rotary (and Rotaract) Clubs in NZ and the Pacific Islands with projects that demonstrate a clear linkage to improving the health of a child or of a group of children
Applying Clubs are expected to commit to funding the project and the Trust will generally match the clubs funding up to $5,000 – or in some circumstances up to $10,000
Applications are approved, on average, within 3 days
DG’s and DGE’s of 9910 and 9920 act as advisors to facilitate communications with clubs
Recent projects support include:
D9910 and D9920 Cyclone Gabrielle appeals
Sensory kits for Wilson School
Water safety education for new immigrants children
Starship 3D printed model of a young child’s heart
On March 19th the Rotary Club of Auckland East is running their "Top Schools" event as detailed below.
Over recent weeks they have had a number of helpers pull out for various reasons. They are now short of helpers to run the individual games. If any D9920 Rotary members would be willing to assist on the day it would be very much appreciated. They need the helpers to be on site between 9.30am and 3.00pm. We provide tea/coffee and snacks to our helpers. The attached timetable shows how the event runs.
Top Schools
Top Schools is a fun sports day run by the Rotary Club of Auckland East for primary school students in the Eastern Suburbs of Auckland. It is open in two grades for teams comprising years 3 and 4 students, and/or years 5 and 6 students. Rotary have run the event for over twenty five years.
The event will be run at Churchill Park School, Kinsale Ave, Glendowie on 19th March 2023
The teams must compete in a number of fun events including a slippery slide, gumboot throw, mine field, ski run, sponge fun, newspaper delivery complete with sleds, and the wobbly wheels wagons.
The day starts with a grand parade led by Harold the Giraffe (Life Education Trust) and teams compete in the timed events to obtain the highest score for their grade.
Mums and dads are all in attendance to cheer the teams on and at the end of the day all participants gain a certificate of attainment. The children in the top three teams for each division are given a medal.
Many thanks for considering our request for help from our fellow Rotarians!
If you can assist please contact Jan Langford asap;
Downtown Auckland Rotary Club in association with Milford Asset Management are thrilled to be bringing Battle of the Suits back to the Auckland events calendar for a third time. The event will once again be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Cordis Hotel, on the evening of Thursday 11 May 2023.
Our 2021 event was featured in the Rotary Down Under Magazine; if you saw the article you will be aware of how special this event is. It truly is an evening of fun and hilarity, and this year will be no exception, as the celebrity team led by David Seymour and the Legal eagles lead Simon Bridges, along with their equally as high-profile team members will take debating to the next level.
This year we have a lofty goal of raising in excess of $200k for the Well Foundation, Youth Mental Health Project a target we know is achievable with the support of the Auckland community.
I encourage you to visit our event website and view the promo videos and gallery stills from 2019 and 2021, our 2023 team bios and previous Battle of the Suits alumni. Early Bird tickets are available to purchase on the website.
We look forward to seeing some of you at the event, don't hesitate to contact me if you require further information.
Kind regards
Gill
Gill Johnston Event Team Lead Battle of the Suits
Past President 2017/2018
Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland Inc.
M +64 21 278 9915
Over the years Rotary has been involved in many programmes and organisations that are designed to support those with Disabilities. In fact clubs in D9920 are currently active in supporting such groups.
Here is an opportunity for your club to support such an organisation. To find out more, please click on link below.
What a pleasure to meet with the RC Nuku’alofa (RCN) and the team that is doing incredible things. Read the attached media release on just some of the projects and events that we participated in. The Rotary Club of Ballarat in Australia have been a great supporter of the Colleges and installed Dentistry Units that any school would be proud of.
Noel Holyoake obituary 
