Lions Clubs New Zealand

08/10/2026

LIONS LEGACY | METHVEN LIONS

A ski field that helped transform a town.

In the late 1960s, Methven was struggling. Jobs were disappearing, businesses were closing and young people were leaving. At the same time, two local teenagers — Roger Goldsbrough and Malcolm Spark — had been studying the snow and weather patterns on Ōpuke/Mt Hutt and became convinced the mountain had potential for a ski field.

They took their idea to Methven Lion Lex Eddington, who saw the possibilities and brought it before the Methven Lions Club. It wasn’t an easy sell — but the Club eventually agreed to investigate the idea, formally beginning its ski-field assessment project in September 1969.

What followed took enormous persistence: helicopter surveys, snow and weather monitoring, planning, public meetings, road investigations and countless hours of work. When contractors said a road up the mountain couldn’t be built, fellow Lion Doug Hood of Ashburton found a way.
His company completed the access road, and Mt Hutt officially opened in June 1974.

By then, the Lions had helped move the project into a stand-alone development company, with several Lions serving on its board. The Club history describes Mt Hutt as perhaps the most influential project Methven Lions ever undertook.

More than 50 years later, Mt Hutt is still a major part of Methven’s identity and economy — and the Club’s own history credits the ski field with helping transform Methven from a declining rural town into a thriving accommodation and hospitality centre.

An idea. A group willing to back it. A town transformed.

That is Legacy.

07/10/2026

WORLD LIONS SIGHT DAY

101 years ago, Helen Keller gave Lions a challenge.

In 1925, speaking at the Lions International Convention, Helen Keller asked Lions to become:

“Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness.”

Lions accepted that challenge — and vision has remained at the heart of Lions service ever since.

Today, Lions around the world continue that legacy by supporting eye health programmes, vision screening, access to eyeglasses, treatment and support for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Here in New Zealand, that commitment continues through the work of Lions Clubs in communities across the country.

As we begin Lions Vision Week, 8–18 October, World Lions Sight Day is a reminder that a challenge issued more than a century ago is still being answered today.

Protect sight. Support vision. Continue the legacy.

06/10/2026

LIONS LEGACY | ROTOKARE SCENIC RESERVE

More than 20 years of rolling up their sleeves for conservation.

When a public meeting was called in Eltham in 2003 to discuss the declining state of Rotokare Scenic Reserve, several members of Eltham Lions were there.

What followed became something extraordinary.

Lions members helped with pest-control lines, cut tracks through difficult bush, painted and renovated buildings, planted trees, built sections of stairway around the perimeter fence, donated trap boxes and safety signage, supported bird reintroductions, provided helicopter time and equipment — and continued to fundraise and volunteer as the project grew.

Today, Rotokare is a 230-hectare predator-free sanctuary, protected by an 8.2km pest-proof fence, with native species being restored and reintroduced.

And Lions are still involved.

More than two decades later, members continue to give their time, equipment, expertise and financial support to help protect this remarkable place for future generations.

Service that helped restore a landscape — and continues today.

That is Legacy.

More information about Rotokare Scenic Reserve: https://www.rotokare.org.nz/

05/10/2026

Yes, we use AI. And we’re not trying to hide it.

Some of the graphics, images and written content we produce are created with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

We know AI-generated content can sometimes have a recognisable look. We know some of it can feel similar. And we certainly don't believe AI replaces the creativity, knowledge and experience of professional designers, photographers, writers or marketers.

But AI is a tool — and it's a very useful one.

It allows people who may not have design, writing or marketing experience to turn an idea into something they can share. It helps people experiment, learn, create and communicate in ways that weren't easily available to them before.

And that's exciting.

We've seen this before.

When computers started becoming commonplace, there were concerns about things being "computer generated". Digital photography changed photography. Desktop publishing changed print. Social media changed advertising. Smartphones changed how we communicate.

Today, all of those technologies are simply part of everyday life.

AI is another step in that evolution.

Does that mean everything AI creates is brilliant? Of course not.

Sometimes it gets things wrong. Sometimes the images look similar. Sometimes there are six fingers where five would have been quite sufficient! 😄 And sometimes a human with years of experience can create something far better.

That's okay.

The answer isn't to stop using the technology. The answer is to get better at using it.

Good ideas still matter. Good design still matters. Originality still matters. Human judgement still matters. In fact, as AI becomes more common, those things may become even more important.

The technology is here. We can resist it, or we can learn how to use it responsibly and creatively.

We choose to learn.

We use AI. We use Canva. We use computers. We use cameras, smartphones and social media. They're all tools that help turn ideas into communication.

AI doesn't have to replace human creativity. It can help more humans become creative.

And we're looking forward to seeing where that takes us.

04/10/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This month, landmarks across Aotearoa are turning pink — but the most important reminder is a simple one:
Know what’s normal for you.

Get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts, and if you notice a new or unusual change, have it checked.

Early detection can make a real difference.

Lions — is something in your community turning pink this October?
Tell us about it in the comments!

01/10/2026

LIONS LEGACY | HAVELOCK LIONS

Built in 1992. Still serving the community today.

When Havelock lost its local hospital and medical services became scattered across private homes and other buildings, the community needed a proper place for doctors, Plunket and District Nurses to work from.

The Havelock Town Council approached Havelock Lions Club for help.

The Club said yes.

With just 14 members, Lions began fundraising — raffles, working bees, catering jobs and support from other Lions Clubs all helped make the project possible. Members also put their own hands to the build, working alongside local builders, plumbers, electricians and suppliers.

In 1992, the purpose-built Havelock Medical Centre was completed and handed over to the community.

More than three decades later, it remains an important part of Havelock.

A community need. A Lions response. A legacy that still serves.

30/09/2026

Happy International Coffee Day!

Today we’re celebrating one of the unofficial fuels of Lions meetings everywhere… coffee.

Your Lions NZ Business Manager Tanja is starting the day at one of her favourite local spots — Pete & Mary's in Warkworth — home of what may just be the best oat cappuccino ever.

Now it’s your turn!

Show us where you’re having your coffee today — at home, at work, at your Lions meeting or at your favourite local café.

And if you’re out supporting local, tag the café so we can give some love to the people keeping our communities caffeinated!

So… where are you having your coffee today?

29/09/2026

LIONS LEGACY | RUAPEHU LIONS

A place of remembrance, created in 1989. Still cared for today.

Ruapehu Lions helped establish the permanent Tangiwai Memorial in 1989, working alongside Lions from Waiouru, Taihape and Hunterville.

More than three decades later, that commitment continues.

Ruapehu Lions still care for and develop the site, and are now working with Ngāti Rangi, Ruapehu District Council and Main Trunk Rail Ohakune on the next stage — a new Tangiwai Memorial Shelter, due for completion in early 2027.

The shelter will honour the 151 people who lost their lives, the 134 survivors, their families, and all those who helped in the aftermath of the 1953 disaster.

Ruapehu Lions also continue the annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Remembrance Service, held at Tangiwai each year at 10pm.

Remembering the past. Caring for the present. Protecting the story for future generations.

That is Legacy.

28/09/2026

WORLD HEART DAY

Don’t Miss a Beat.

Our hearts work for us every second of every day — often without us giving them much thought.

But heart disease can sometimes hide in plain sight, and recognising the signs and looking after our heart health matters.

This World Heart Day, take a moment to check in — with yourself and with the people you care about.

❤️ Move your body
❤️ Know your blood pressure
❤️ Make heart-healthy choices
❤️ Pay attention when something doesn’t feel right
❤️ Encourage the people around you to do the same

Small, consistent changes can make a difference.

And as Lions, looking after our communities starts with looking after the people within them.

Your heart matters. Don’t miss a beat.

27/09/2026