Rotary Club of Wellington (RCW)

10/06/2026

At yesterday’s Rotary Club of Wellington lunch, we proudly inducted 13 new members. Five joined our new South Wairarapa “Satellite” Club, Literacy for Life, while eight joined our main club. Despite global declines in service club membership, we’ve grown from 60 in June 2025 to 86 members today. The photo captures the diversity and connection during our “getting to know you” activity. On 22 June 2026, President Lynn McKenzie will hand over to incoming President Honorary Dame Suzanne Snively. Our speaker will be Dr. Chelsea Grootveld, Chair of JR McKenzie Trust. Interested? Contact [email protected].

19/05/2026

Over 70 attendees joined the Rotary Club of Wellington to hear an exceptional diplomatic panel explore “Life behind the diplomatic passport.” 🌏
Facilitated by Ian Fraser, the discussion featured current Rotary Club of Wellington members: NZ’s former Ambassador to China and the High Commissioners from Canada, Australia, and Pakistan.
Key highlights:
• Australia: HE Daniel Sloper noted NZ was his top posting choice.
• Pakistan: HE Faisal Aziz Ahmed shared they get on "famously" with Trump.
• Canada: HE Keith Smith emphasised Canadian independence.
• NZ: John McKinnon noted a global shift from rules -based international order toward power, adding, "If you want to have fun, join the Foreign Service."

In the photo from left: Former New Zealand Ambassador to China (twice), John McKinnon, High Commissioner for Canada Keith Smith, facilitator Ian Fraser, High Commissioners Faisal Aziz Ahmed, for Pakistan and Daniel Sloper for Australia and President of Rotary Club of Wellington, Lynn McKenzie.

14/05/2026

12/05/2026

At Rotary, it’s not just about great speakers—it’s about getting behind the scenes. Last week we joined the morning briefing at Predator Free Wellington, where cutting-edge tech meets conservation (yes, even “ratty poo” plays a role!).
From smart monitoring systems to detection dogs and 19,000 urban bait stations, the results are remarkable—a 136% increase in bird life in Miramar. It’s inspiring to see local work gaining global attention.
Curious? Come along and see what you can discover with Rotary. Contact us at [email protected]

10/05/2026

Join us this June as we celebrate Rotary Fellowship Month
On June 8, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of our usual format, people will have the chance to connect with a range of members in a structured, relaxed setting - an opportunity to get to know each other beyond the usual conversations.
With our busy schedules, inspiring speakers, and the many projects we keep moving forward, we don’t always make space for what was at the very core of Rotary from the beginning: friendship and mutual support.
This special meeting is a chance to pause, reconnect, and strengthen the relationships that make our club not just effective, but truly enjoyable to be part of.
We’re looking forward to some great conversations, plenty of laughs, and a renewed sense of connection.

07/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers, grandmothers, carers, and nurturers in our communities! 🌸
This week we also celebrate Rotary’s work to protect maternal and child health, including an Australian led project supporting midwives in Papua New Guinea. Through the PNG Midwifery Leadership Buddy Project, Rotary clubs in Australia and PNG pair midwives for peer mentoring, cross cultural training, and leadership development. These midwives then lead their own local projects—improving maternity care and community health where they live.
By strengthening midwives and the services they provide, Rotary is helping more mothers and babies survive and thrive in remote communities. 💙

Photo from:Rotary International / PNG Midwifery Leadership Buddy Project

06/05/2026

The Rotary Club of Wellington invites you to a special event exploring “The Unique Experiences of Being a Diplomat.” Hear firsthand from an exceptional panel of international voices, including New Zealand’s former Ambassador to China, alongside High Commissioners from Canada, Pakistan, and Australia.
Guided by superb interviewer, Ian Fraser, this engaging conversation will uncover the challenges, surprises of diplomatic life — from navigating cultural differences to representing national interests overseas as well as touching on some relevant international issues
This is a rare opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of diplomacy through the lived experiences of those at the forefront.
If you’d like to join us on 5.30 – 7.00pm, 18th May at The Wellington Club, contact our secretary: [email protected].

05/05/2026

Dr. Mike Joy, Ecologist at Victoria University delivered a powerful call to action at the Rotary Club of Wellington lunch meeting today. High producing pastures that require large amounts of fertiliser is devastating our freshwaters, with nitrate levels in our rivers now worse than the Mississippi. These pollutants risk the health of 800,000 Kiwis, linked to birth defects and cancer. We must stop subsidising harm and level the playing field for regenerative agriculture. It’s time to make polluters pay. .

The next Rotary Club meeting is at the Wellington Club, Monday 18 May in the evening. It will be a panel of 4 diplomats. Guests welcome – RSVP to [email protected]

30/04/2026

🌍 World Immunisation Week 💉
Rotary Club of Wellington is proud to be one of the founding clubs for Give Every Child A Future, a Rotary UNICEF project that has helped vaccinate up to 100,000 children in nine remote Pacific nations against rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and HPV.
Despite huge distances, transport delays, and fragile cold chains, the project built stronger systems—better refrigeration, smarter supply chains, and trained health workers—so progress can continue long after the project ends.
💙 We’re proud to help protect Pacific children and build healthier futures. Ask us about visiting our club! Contact us at [email protected]

23/04/2026

Honouring Anzac Day and the Rotarians who gave their lives in World War Two and later conflicts.
Rotary grew rapidly after World War II, as people turned to community and service in the wake of loss. That pattern continues in times of hardship.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rotary there has shifted to large scale humanitarian work, with more than 500 new members joining to help coordinate medical supplies, energy support, and shelter for displaced families.
The Rotary Foundation has raised over US$17.4 million for 375 local projects, and European clubs continue to support refugees with food, medical gear, and transport.
This Anzac Day, we remember those who served—and recommit to Rotary’s work for peace, healing, and community.