Rotary clubs in New Zealand and the South Pacific are organised into five geographical districts covering New Zealand, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. Together we are Rotary Oceania. https://rotaryoceania.zone/
These five districts are a part of Rotary International grouped together in a regional designation of ‘Zone 7b’. The district provides an organisational link between Rotary International and the clubs within that geographical area and provides the clubs with resources and support. Subject to the requirements of Rotary International, clubs are otherwise autonomous.
Since Rotary started in New Zealand in 1921 it has spread throughout New Zealand and the Pacific to include 10 Pacific Island nations. Rotary membership across the five New Zealand-based districts is per capita among the highest in the world with an ever-increasing number of women and couples joining Rotary for the contribution to volunteerism and lifestyle it offers. Rotary in New Zealand has contributed to or started many programmes that are now independent and respected organisations such as CCS and the Kidney Society.
Rotary clubs are autonomous and self-governing. All clubs in New Zealand comprise two parts: the club, an incorporated entity, to which the members belong and organises the affairs of the club and the projects undertaken. The second is technically separate whereby each club has a charity meeting the requirements of the Charities Act 2005 that receives and distributes funds raised by the club for charitable purposes. Clubs in the Pacific have similar structures as relevant to the laws of their country.
Whakatū Rotary is one of 67 Rotary clubs in Rotary District 9999, which encompasses the entire South Island of New Zealand. https://rotarydistrict9999.org/
The Power of Collaboration
There are six Rotary clubs in Nelson-Tasman, two in Marlborough and one in Buller. Over the last five years clubs have come together on various occasions to pool our resources and volunteer hours for the better of our wider community.
Clubs have worked together to refurbish Rotoiti Lodge Outdoor Education Centre, raise funds and support the rehoming of people forced out of their homes by the devastation Westport flood, raise funds for a series of mobile community hub caravans for use in emergencies, and clear Tahunanui Beach of flood debris.
Our fellow Nelson-Tasman clubs are Nelson, Nelson West, Motueka, Richmond, and Rutherford. Blenheim and Blenheim South Clubs work closely together in Marlborough, and Westport Rotary is strong in Buller.
