Latest News
"Quick & Quiet" Local School Project - 12 June 2021
The Whangarei City Rotary Club were asked to assist in any way that they can, to tidy the garden areas surrounding the main entrance of the Raurimu School. This Community Service then became the Club’s first “Quick & Quiet” project and completed the task within approximately three hours..
It was a great day and Club turn-out, weeding and tidying garden areas around the School. The gardens maintained at the front entrance of the school enabled the children to plant in time for the Matariki celebrations.
Welcome Flo From Chile on her Rotary Your Exchange
District 9910 Governor's Club Visit 24 July,2019
The Club Board Members warmly welcomed Governor Ian and Jasmine Kiernan from Norfolk Island, to their Board meeting with the Governor and later with the remaining Club members. Ian outlined his Goals for each club and their members for his year as Governor.He stressed the need for Rotarians to register on My Rotary and, to enter their Date of Birth which will accurately record the demographic Rotary age and information that will assist District and Rotary International planning.
Jasmine also outlined her project to avoid boredom while on tour with Ian. She decided on launching a fundraising project by personally creating Rotary Theme mosaic tiles to be raffled between clubs at Club visits and the proceeds will be presented to ROMAC at the end of their Tour.
Jasmine made and had available to raffle, the mosaic tile depicting the Rotary International Theme Logo “Rotary Serving Humanity” 2016-2017 when Club President PC Smith’s was then District Governor.
This tile was then raffled at their next Club Visit in Warkworth, drawn that evening and, won by Kevan Summerlee, a Whangarei City Club member, who kindly and generously agreed to passed it on to PC. It is gorgeous.
Take a look
Club members just couldn’t wait to hear all about Norfolk Island and asked a volley of questions accordingly. Off shore Governors are few and far between and to have Ian and Jasmine visit added a touch of mystique to the evening.Club Changeover 2019
Tree Planting 2017
Rotary International's goal for 2017-2018 Rotary Year is to plant a tree for every Club member.
Our Club is supporting the Whitebait Connection who are planting native trees and shrubs along and around our Whangarei rivers and streams. Our Club is volunteering to help with the planting from July to September 2017.
Club member Toni and her two daughters, Remeny, John and Joy caught in action at Springs Flat, Kamo.
Welcome to New Zealand and Whangarei City
We have a new Rotary Inbound International Youth Exchange student Rena Aumueller who flew in from Austria via Dubai and Sydney on Sunday afternoon 30 July, 2017. Rena was met at Auckland International Airport by Peter and Reo who brought her north to her first host family Kim and Gary Buckthought. Their daughter Abigail has been selected to go to Austria for her 12 month Rotary International Youth Exchange IYE January 2018. 
Rena will be dual hosted by Whangarei City and Whangarei Sunrise Rotary Clubs for her next 12 months here in NZ.
Her first IYE engagement is Orientation Weekend 19 & 20 August and then Marae weekend in October where she will be with all District 9910 IYE students. Her last activity for the year will be the South Island tour Nov-Dec, a tour just for all District 9910 Inbound students.
Rena attended her first Club meeting with Whangarei City, 9th August where she briefly introduced herself. Club members will look forward to her introductory presentation very soon.
Club Changeover 2017
Here we go again. Another 12 months has passed and it is that time to re-organise the Club’s dynamics for the new incoming Rotary year 2017-2018. So, on Wednesday evening our usual Club night and on the shortest day of the year, June 21st, members that were able, all headed to Cemetery Rd, Maunu for Changeover celebrations and food. The theme for the Changeover was Crazy Hat(s) - wear a hat or anything that adorns the head of your choice. All sorts came out of the closet - devils horns, cowboy hats, colourful wigs and things, fashion hats, caps, Mardi Gras top hats all to make the evening a colourful event.
President John organised a typical New Zealand supper of fish and chips, something different for families, visitors and Club members. He also gave a brief summary of what the Club had done in his year and then announced his Board for the coming year.
John Sadler - President
Remeny Weber - Secretary
Lynley Summerlee - Club Treasurer
PC Smith - District IYE Chair and IPG 2017-18.
Kevan Summerlee - Club Projects and Membership Co-ordinator
Sandra McLean - District 9910 IYE Committee
Margaret Cebalo - District Administrator & Club Youth Co-ordinator (Dual Role).
Margaretha Wilson - Club Youth Co-ordinator (Dual Role).
Tara Thompson - Past President
Reo Smith - Welfare/Webpage Editor
All Club members were issued with an Atlanta Convention 2017 Registration Bag and a Rotary Logo 2017-18 theme badge brought back from Atlanta by Reo and PC. The formalities for the evening ended with the induction of our newest Club member Mohammed, who came with an outstanding pedigree from the Waikato province.
New Members
IYE Students 2017
Whangarei City Club is again sponsoring three Secondary School students from Whangarei to participate in the 12 month Rotary International Youth Exchange programme leaving New Zealand January 2017 and returning January 2018. All students attend Te Kapehu Whetu Academy School and will take with them a wealth of Maori Culture to their chosen overseas country.
Hineira Tipene-Komene will head off to Switzerland, Grace Campbell to Germany and Aotea Parata to Brazil. 
Club member Sandra McLean-Woods and Craig will be chaperoning all New Zealand Rotary IYE Students to Europe bound countries including our students, an approximate total of 31 students from the six Rotary Districts in New Zealand.
Aotea will be chaperoned to Brazil along with all the Rotary NZ students exchanging in South America departing the same week.
The Club will look forward to their presentations when they return home.
Magic Moments December 2016
Another first class effort from Club members when called upon, to make good in a community providing a happy and caring atmosphere within a family unit who may not be fortunate enough to provide enough food for their family. 
It is always rewarding for Club members to pack and then deliver the food boxes to families desperately in need especially at time of delivery. The food boxes are usually delivered the weekend before Christmas day. This is the Club's major project and it is with the generous sponsorship of local businesses in the Whangarei area that they are able to help families.
This year 95 banana boxes were filled and distributed. Words on our pamphlets for each box says it all:-
“This comes to you from someone who cares about you. All we ask is that you take care of yourself well enough to be able to do this for someone else someday”.
Club Catering for the Governor's Rotary Year
The first taste of Club catering for the Governor commenced 7 August at RLI (Rotary Learning Institute) in Whangarei. Being the Home Club of the Governor, it is the club’s responsibility to cater for District Training, Learning Institutes and for the District Management Meetings held at either Whangarei or Auckland. Thankyou to Lynley, Margaretha, John and Joy for organising morning tea and lunch at each venue.
POP-UP SHOP
Whangarei City was one of the four Whangarei Rotary Clubs who took part in a Rotary Membership and Awareness promotion within the Whangarei area by setting up shop in the old vacant Travel Shop located on Rathbone St, week of 17-22 October 2016.
The POP-UP shop concept, originally a Dargaville Roary Club mastermind, was to showcase Rotary to the public and to present a much younger face of Rotary.
Clubs were rostered and set up to show videos, pop-up posters and various community activities involving the Rotary Clubs.
Foot traffic was the ideal target enticing people into the POP-UP shop for a cup of tea or coffee. An added draw card was a FREE RAFFLE sponsored by Red Dining and Love Mussel, where Joe Public would give their name, contact number and nominate at Rotary Club that they might like to visit on a club night meeting. It proved to be a very popular draw card and it was through this event that Whangarei City gained another member, Bonny Hollis. She was the raffle winner, came along to a Club meeting to collect her prize and learnt a bit more about Rotary. She attended another meeting and on her third appearance at the Club’s meeting was inducted by the Governor PC Smith.
New Club Members
A very big welcome to Fred and Remeny Weber inducted 11 May 2016 by Governor Peter Garnett at the Club’s evening meeting.
They both have a genuine desire to give their time and energy to the Community to do good things .
Remeny with her medical background and Fred, with his engineering background with the possibility of undertaking medical studies have a natural want to help.
They are very keen to become involved in Club projects and and already enjoying social events and family gatherings. Both look forward to being part of a very stimulating Community organisation.
Welcome Huanui College INTERACT Rotary Club
The Huanui College Rotary Interact Club sponsored by the Whangarei City Club was fully Chartered and inducted Wednesday 11 May 2016 by Governor Peter Garnett and supported by members of the Whangarei City club held at the College Assembly. 
Approximately 35 students expressed interest and were very keen to form an INTERACT Club under the leadership and guidance of their teacher and staff member Ashlee Cebalo and under the auspices of the Whangarei City Rotary Club.
They will elect their own Officers each year and work independently.
A Club Meeting With A Difference
A novel activity for a Club meeting proved to be a very successful exercise. This was the Poi making activity suggested by President Tara for her April 2016 meeting. The President’s interesting brief history on the poi, its importance to the Maori culture relating to music, movement and dance, gave inspiration for those attending to speedily make their pair of long or short poi so that they could make a noise and exercise their wrists.
The meeting was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
District 9910 Conference at Tauranga 8 - 11 April 2016
Margaret and Margaretha attended the District Conference and were on hand to help PC promote his District Conference to be held in Whangarei April 2017.
Our Inbound IYE Students Wako and Arantxa were part of the District's Rotary International Exchange in attendance for the traditional Internatinal IYE Flag ceremony and as contributors to the collective student presentation on the current student experiences in New Zealand.
9910 District Area 2 Annual Dinner 2016
Our Club hosted the Area 2 Annual Dinner this year at Red Dining in March. The Theme was “RED”.
This was a very successful social event where Rotarians and their partners from the Whangarei, Whangarei South, Whangarei Sunrise and Dargaville Clubs attended. District Governor Peter Garnet and Elaine along with Past District Governor Merv Huxtable and Past District Governor Sandra McKersey, guests, friends and family enjoyed the dinner and entertainment.
Our thanks to Sandra McLean-Woods and the Red Dining Staff for supporting this special event.
IYE Students 2016
Inbound
January 2016 the Club welcomed Arantxa Valenzuela from Chile. She will be attending Kamo High School. Arantxa also caught up with Wako while attending a IYE Brief and then at the District Conference held in Tauranga. Wako heads back to Japan in July.
Outbound
This year the Club sponsored Louis Paul a student from Huanui College with a strong cultural association with the Te Kapetu Whetu Academy. He left for Chile in January. We look forward to his presentation upon return to NZ about his experiences in Chile.
Magic Moments
20 December 2015
Magic Moments 2015 was yet another successful annual Club Project with approx 85 banana boxes filled to the brim with christmas food and gifts for those families in need because of unexpected circumstances close on Christmas day and, fly beneath the radar of many local charity organisations and Trusts who also provide during the festive season.
Whangarei City Rotary Club would like to thank all Food outlet sponsors providing meat, dairy products, bread, fruit and veggies, and dried products in the Whangarei area and eggs from Dargaville. Without your participation, kindness, generosity and goodwill at this particular time of the year, Magic Moments would not be possible. You brought a smile to someone’s face from someone who cares.
“Hand shakes” for and “thumbs up” to Club members, Rotarians from other Whangarei Rotary Clubs, members of the public, friends and family who helped pack and deliver. Lastly special thanks to our Magic Moments Club Organisers, Kevan, John, Lynley, PC and Martyn. “It’s a big job” and worth every moment to make a difference unconditionally.
Club Shelter Boxes
15 September 2015
THE CLUB’S WHO’S WHO 2015 - 2016
1st July 2015
Reo Smith - Club President for the first 6 months (Dual Role) and INFORMER Editor.
Tara Thompson - Club Secretary (Dual Role) for the first 6 months and Club Social Co-Ordinator, Duties are then swapped 31 January 2016 between President and Secretary.
Lynley Summerlee - Club Treasurer.
PC Smith - The Rotary Foundation Rep, District IYE Chair and DGE 2015-2016.
Kevan Summerlee - Club Projects and Membership Co-ordinator.
Sandra McLean - District 9910 IYE Committee Rep and Projects.
Margaret Cebalo - Club Youth Co-ordinator (Dual Role).
Margaretha Wilson - Club Youth Co-ordinator (Dual Role).
Monique Swanepoel - Club Friendship Exchange and IYE Host Families Co-ordinator.
The Board of Directors will meet every third Monday (week between club meetings) each month at 5.40pm.
Rachel In Brasil 2014-2015
1st Jul 2015
Rachel started her Rotary International Youth Exchange (IYE) journey at Selection Weekend May-June 2013, where she was successful and able to go to the country of her choice, Brasil.
Now it was her responsibility to ready herself and become familiar with the cultural and portuguese language of Brasil, in particular Sao Paulo, where her sponsored Rotary Club was located and where she would be residing. She also had to update her knowledge and facts about Whangarei and New Zealand to tell those in her host country her whakapapa, and about her country, she would, become a NZ Rotarian Student Ambassador for 12months. Her sponsored Rotary Club in New Zealand, District 9910 was Whangarei City.
January 21st, 2014 came with a bang and off she left from Auckland International Airport with 9 other IYE students from the five other Rotary Districts in New Zealand, two Brazilian students returning home after their 12 months Exchange, and the student's Rotarian Chaperones, all bound for South America.
This was not the first time Rachel left the shores of New Zealand, so the Customs and Immigration processes, departure lounge checks, looking around for that last minute souvenir curbed precious time for her to she grab any spare moment from the Brazilian students to learn more Portuguese. She was on a mission.
All the Students spent 3-4 days in Chile with their NZ IYE Rotary Chaperones and Chilean IYE Organisors enjoying an organised Orientation programme. From Chile they then travelled on to their destinations to start their International Youth Exchange in South America, 5 students to Brasil, 2 to Argentina with 2 remaining in Chile. This began the true beginning of Rachel's Brazilian exchange when she arrived at Sao Paul Airport during the evening. She had already taken photos of her first sight of Sao Paulo from the air and was excited.
What happened next for the whole year she was in Brasil you will need to go to the IYE website and read on, you will be amazed at what experiences and opportunities came her way. Check it out.
www.rotaryyouthexchange.co.nz
Our Club was most fortunate to have Rachel give a presentation of her Exchange. Every one of her photographs projected had a tale and we thank her for sharing them with us.
Rachel is now at present, studying at Auckland University studying for a Bachelor of Health Science.
The Art of Glass Blowing At Burning Issues
Club Meeting 22 October 2014
A visit to the Town Basin to observe the art of glass blowing by Keith Grinter at Burning Issues was an exciting meeting venue for those members who could attend.
Keith had purchased the studio after its founder Keith Mahy died in 2013. Mahy was the first New Zealand born studio glass artist and one of the founding fathers of art glass in New Zealand.
Keith Grindle gave us a “hands on" demonstration on how various glass ornaments and glassware are made from glass pellet to molten glass, adding colour and patterns, and then the art of heating and blowing to make an object taking about 40 mins to complete. Glass art in all shapes, sizes and colours, tools, raw materials were scattered around the studio, a true working room. It was magical to see an object from start to finish develop in front out your eyes. Keith rarely spoke as he was creating, as precision, strength and concentration was needed to complete the object.
All members were fascinated at his skill and intense dexterity blowing and turning the glass blowing rod.
It was also an exciting moment for one of the Club members who later found out, that she had 2 sets of wine goblets and a set of 3 wine goblets with decanter, stored in her China cabinet for 36 years or more, were the early works of Keith Mahy. She had purchased them in a wineshop in Hikurangi in 1979 because of the colour and unique shape of each goblet. It pays to check out china cabinets believe me, it is worth it.
INTERACT Changeover 2014
6 Feb 2015 - 03:31
Welcome to our club, President Rama Davis (2014 - 2015) and her WGHS INTERACT members. INTERACT students meet at WGHS on Mondays and then are invited to join in at our Club meetings. They had a number of fundraising activities for their Shelter Box project and raised $1500 this year.
INTERESTING SPEAKERS TO THE CLUB
26 Aug 2014 - 03:18
Steve Haywood - Locally Based Master Jeweller.
Our guest speaker on 13/08/14 was Steve Haywood, Whangarei based master jeweller and, as it transpired, an artist with a passion for working with precious metals and gems.
When Steve works on a commissioned piece of jewellery, he weaves the customers stories into the piece of jewellery. Check out his website, www.masterjeweller.nz.
Steve is also involved in collaborative art works which can include large metal structures, wood, ceramics, paint and precious metals where a diverse group of artists have to set aside individual tastes and work together as a team. Watch out for "Collaborations" in March 2015.
Dr Jonathan Manson - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Our guest speaker on 23/07/14 was suggested by a Club member who recently had Carpal Tunnel surgery and that the surgeon be asked to speak to the club on this procedure.
It was arranged, and with a full house of members and visitors on the night, Dr J. Manson gave a very interesting Community Awareness presentation.
Everyone participated by unknowingly examining their hand, as the presentation progressed when Dr Manson described the symptoms and the results if left untreated. He then explained the surgical procedure where the Carpal ligament is cut to release the pressure on the median nerve. All done and stitched within 30 minutes approximately and then home.
It is not till it happens to you that you realise that this is a common ailment, more common than Diabetes, develops in people who are aged between 45yrs - 65yrs, more common in females, is not directly related to the RSI Syndrome and is not life threatening - however, if left untreated, it can cause the muscles at the base of the thumb area to become ineffective and waste away.
Latoya Hood - PEPI PRIDE
Our guest speaker 09/07/14 was Latoya who had an idea for baby clothes no longer needed. Her vision is to collect the garments over a period of time, and then hold a one day “Baby Festival” targeting young parent(s) who identify as struggling, having clothing issues and providing for their children.
All too often tiny baby clothes are stored because their “used by date” expires within 3-4 weeks after the baby is born. This is an exciting project to gather unwanted baby clothes and give to families in need.
Latoya’s Project is named PEPI PRIDE and with the help of family and friends, Media and hard leg work, she will make sure this event happen.
The “Baby Festival” will be a family orientated event for all ages. Date and Venue yet to be decided.
INTERCLUB SOCIAL CHALLENGES
21 Aug 2014 - 11:18
The Presidents of all Rotary clubs in the Whangarei area decided to have INTERClub Social Challenges, an exciting excuse to meet outside the Clubrooms to enjoy the friendships and make new ones. The winner of the Challenge then decides what funds raised during that challenge will go to a Charity of their choice.
The latest challenge was in the hands of the Sunrise Rotary Club where we all went to the Ruakaka Races. An interesting challenge but a great day and the winning club was the Whangarei South Club. We are all waiting in anticipation as to what their challenge will be where and what.
TUKTUKING Somewhere in India is Kristin Edge, August 2014
21 Aug 2014 - 09:09
Whangarei City Rotary Club member Kristin, and Police Officer Tracee Knowler from HoraHora are racing the length of India, (3500kms) in a three-wheeled tuktuk - a glorified lawnmower for two weeks, raising money for the Miriam Centre in Whangarei and Northland Sexual Abuse Survivors.
This has to be an amazing experience for Kristin and she will never forget the moments. They have met incredibly humble and generous people on their travels and absorbed the natural harsh and endearing surrounds as they pass through the challenging terrain. The Club will be looking forward to her presentation when she arrives home.
District 9910 IYE Orientation Weekend for Inbound and Outbound Students - 8 - 10 August 2014
21 Aug 2014 - 09:07
Once again the Club became involved with this fantastic event from total organisation to catering which was most successful and a “blast” for the students who in most cases meet each other for the first time.
It was also a time and place for parents of Outbound students to become familiar with International Youth Exchange and the diverse programme and journey that their child would experience.
Governor Bruce Rasmussen and his wife Christine were very impressed with the programme and were unaware of the vast work behind the scenes that made this event a success.
Lynley, Kevan and Margaret were presented with PHF’s at club meetings by Governor PC Smith and Sandra ’s PHF was presented to her at Orientation weekend by PC as District 9910 IYE Chair.
The theme for this event was Kiwiana and was well attended by Whangarei Club Presdients Elects, guests, family, friends including DG Peter Garnett and Elaine and, PDG Maxine Neighbour and Murray. John was also presented with a Club cloak in Club colours which was adorned on the back with 39 tassles representing the total number of past and current members.
