Opononi & Districts Lions Club

14/08/2026

Young Ambassadors' Event hosted by Ōkaihau Lions at the Ōkaihau Town Hall was another opportunity for our Lions Club to support and encourage these future leaders to view community service an integral part of leadership skills.

The three-part competition included: crafting a CV, braving a 10-minute interview, and delivering a 5-minute speech:
- Clay Blakeman (Springbank): "You are a mosaic of the people in your life"
- Toni Warren (Springbank): "Face your fears"
- Ronan Leung (Springbank): "AI art, just a pretty picture vs the spirit behind it"
- Allen (Bella) Nissen (Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Hokianga): "If your Marae could speak what would it say to you"
- Evie Trotter (Springbank): "Fare of what other people think about, mind over matter"
- Isabelle Connon (Kerikeri High): "OT, we need a safer space for our children"

In the end, Ronan Leung captured First Prize ($1,000), Isabelle Connon took Second ($500), and Allen (Bella) Nissen earned Third Prize ($250) sponsored by Waimamaku Automotive Solutions. Congratulations from all of us!

Images include some of our Hokianga whānau who supported their sister, Allen Nissen representing Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Hokianga.

For further information about the Young Ambassador's Programme:
https://www.lionsclubs.org.nz/services/youth/young-ambassador

06/08/2026

Our next monthly Lions' Dinner will be held on Thursday, 20 August. Lynelle Ngakuru, Community Stroke Navigator, Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand will give a brief overview of Stroke Aotearoa, the support they provide, her role as a Community Stroke Navigator, and some key stroke awareness messages. She will also bring along some resources and information for attendees to take away.
🔵 Venue: RSA and Opononi Hall Supper Room
🔵 Time: 6 pm for Meet and Greet in the RSA; 6.45 pm be seated for 7 pm dinner
🔵 Meal payments at $35.00 pp to this account please by Monday, 17 August:
The Lions Club of Opononi & Districts
03 0334 0091619 00
Code: Your Name
Reference: Meal x 1
Please rsvp Gayle (M: 0272780133 or [email protected]) know if you are attending and or bringing guests. Friends, neighbours and community members are welcome!

19/07/2026

One of our recent 'projects' has been to assist 50 households across the Hokianga who were impacted by the weather events in late March/April with a $100 New World Voucher each. The funds were given to the Club by the Northland District Lions Chair and committee from funds obtained to respond to emergencies.

22/06/2026

Saturday night's Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner and Fundraiser was a huge success: we raised $5000 for projects planned throughout the Hokianga!

Kids (small and big) enjoyed having their photos taken with Santa; there were raffles galore, 'toss the coin' for mystery prizes, 'guess the number of baubles in the bin', and a 'Christmas Clear out Koha table' where you could purchase good second-hand Christmas items (decorations, books, and craft items, etc.), as well as the exquisite dinner, musical entertainment and spot prizes.

Thank you to all those who contributed their time, energies, ingredients towards the dinner, raffle hampers or items, lent us their Christmas decorations, helped set up, decorate the hall and clean up, sold tickets...the list of those we must is long. We appreciate every one of you and your contributions!

Of course, we could not have done it without those of you who attended on the night, nor without our colleagues in the Hokianga Memorial RSA who staffed the bar. A huge thank you to Sarah Manley, CEO of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, for acting as MC on the evening!

17/06/2026

Very limited tickets left for Saturday's event - final chance to get yours. No door sales on the night as catering numbers fixed. Email me on: [email protected] if you want tickets.

12/06/2026

Tickets are now very limited so get in super quick to obtain yours by emailing [email protected]

Come in Christmas-themed dress for a chance at winning a spot prize. Bring the contents of your piggy-bank to purchase tickets for the amazing raffles donated by community members and businesses. Activities, a Christmas quiz and a great dinner together with our community!

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

April/May have been busy months for the Lions Club of Opononi & Districts:

At our monthly dinner in April, we had Jessie McVeagh and Maria Barnes talk about He Kete Kai and food sustainability projects in Hokianga.

At the dinner in May, our President, Hugh Perry, gave a photo presentation of his recent trip as a volunteer for the Iditarod 2026 race across Alaska.

At the May Zone meeting (with other Lions Clubs from across Northland), Ian Leigh-Mackenzie was acknowledged by Brian Williams (202K District Chairperson) for his 35+ years of service as a Lion. Congratulations Ian!