Home Page | Rotary Club of Tauranga-Te Papa

THE GREAT TAURANGA DUCK RACE 2026

The Great Tauranga Duck Race 19 April 2026

The Duck Race will be held on Sunday 19 April 2026 at The Strand Waterfront, downtown Tauranga.

10.30am start for Corporate Races, followed at 11am for the Duckling Race .

Main Event Sponsor Ray White BAYFAIR | TAURANGA, Event supporters Palmers Bethlehem, McLeod Cranes, Media Works and VAST Billboards

On 18 March 2026, Year 12 students from Te Puke High School took part in the RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) programme, held at The Orchard in Te Puke.

This important initiative is delivered through a strong partnership between Rotary Clubs across the Tauranga area and the Road Safety Education Trust.

Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club donates $5,000 to Welcome Bay School.

Welcome Bay School senior and junior students enjoying the new literary resources donated by Tauranga Te Papa Rotary Club.

Back row: JJ, Penny,

Middle row: Julian and Frances

Front row: Michael and Mackenzie

[permission from all the parents has been granted to publish this photo]

End Polio 25

We Are THIS Close to Ending Polio

Rotary has been at the forefront of the global fight to eradicate polio for more than three decades. Thanks to the dedication of Rotarians worldwide and strong partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and UNICEF, polio cases have been reduced by over 99.9% since the campaign began.

In the photo, Immediate Past District Governor Nick Dangerfield (Tauranga Te Papa Club) and District Polio Chair Past District Governor Grant Spackman (Havelock North Club) proudly show the iconic “This Close” gesture—a symbol of Rotary’s commitment to finishing the job. Today, polio remains endemic in only a handful of countries, and with continued support, we can make history by achieving a polio-free world.

Every contribution counts. Join us in the fight to End Polio Now and help Rotary keep its promise to future generations.

Stem Festival

Tauranga STEM Festival 2025

Rotary was proud to partner with House of Science at this year’s Tauranga STEM Festival, where thousands of families explored the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and maths.

Our Rotary team — including Linda Ellis, Rob and Jacqui Thompson — worked hard throughout the day at the vibrant pollination-themed stand, which featured everything from live beehives to seed giveaways and planting beds.

With more than 10,000 visitors expected, it was a buzzing day of learning, discovery, and community engagement — showcasing Rotary’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and inspiring young minds.

President Alan Hitchcock Welcome Message

The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa was chartered in 1981. The club meets every Thursday for lunch at The Fish & Dive clubrooms, 60 Cross Road, Tauranga. The meetings feature a light lunch and a great mix of club members who pack in a lot of fun, humour, and networking. We have a diverse range of entertaining & inspirational guest speakers. Tauranga Te Papa is a strong and vibrant club of around 45 active members who are passionate “people of Action” and committed to engaging in projects of benefit to both local as well as international communities.

PEOPLE of ACTION

You’ll be one of over a thousand young Kiwis each year who get on board to experience the trip of a lifetime. You’ll leave with a whole new set of skills, lots of new friends and a new confidence to take on the challenges in life. The whole voyage is based on learning by doing. You’ll face all sorts of challenges and take part in lots of activities on the ship, on the water and on the shore. Leaving you with a level of self-empowerment only found on the Spirit of New Zealand.

Increased confidence and skills: On Spirit you’ll improve your communication and leadership skills and learn the importance of self-awareness and being a part of a team. As you face the various challenges your confidence will increase as you increasingly move outside of your comfort zone.

New friends and connections: You’ll meet 39 other young kiwis from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Over 10 days you will come to depend on each other, learn tolerance and acceptance and create close and lasting bonds. Once you leave the ship you are connected to the Spirit community for life! You’ll have the opportunity to return as a crew member and share your experiences with others.

Start your adventure today with support from the Rotary club of Tauranga Te Papa. We have limited grant funds of up to $1500-00 available to support 16–18-year-olds.

To apply for a grant, simply complete the application form and forward it to.

Ward Reid wardreid@actrix.co.nz

Spirit of Adventure Trust • Ignite your Spirit of Adventure

Go on bush expeditions, water challenges, sea voyages and height activities to mention a few. The outcome is new confidence, making effective decisions, communication skills, increased determination for those who have left school but not found their direction in life yet. Just to mention a few.

Start your adventure today with support from the Rotary club of Tauranga Te Papa. We have limited grant funds of up to $1500-00 available to support 18 – 26-year-olds attend an experience of a lifetime.

To apply for a grant, simply complete the application form and forward it to:

Ward Reid wardreid@actrix.co.nz

Outward Bound - Outdoor Education New Zealand