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Plant a Tree and Leave Your Footprint for the Future

Join Rotary and the Tauranga community to plant 5,000 native trees in Kōpūrererua Valley

For Rotary Leadership Award (RYLA) graduate 23-year-old Taylor Verhoeven, volunteering at this year’s K Valley Public Planting Day is a chance to give back to the community that has given her so much.

Taylor, who works for Zespri, became involved after completing the RYLA course earlier this year. Her involvement is a great example of how Rotary can connect people with practical opportunities to make a difference in their community.

On Sunday 20 September 2026, Tauranga families, community groups and volunteers are invited to get their hands dirty and help plant 5,000 native trees in the Kōpūrererua Valley.

The annual K Valley Public Planting Day is organised by the Tauranga Rotary Centennial Trust for the Kōpūrererua Valley Reserve Development, working alongside Tauranga’s four Rotary clubs as part of the wider Footprints for Our Future environmental initiative.

The event brings the community together to enhance one of Tauranga’s most important natural spaces and create a living legacy for future generations.

Rotary Checks AED to Help Save Lives

Tauranga Rotary volunteers are hitting the streets to make sure defibrillators can be found when every second counts.

Members of Rotary Tauranga Te Papa and Rotary Pāpāmoa are working with Hato Hone St John to check the location and details of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across the city.

Supporting Men Through Cancer Recovery

Tauranga Te Papa Rotary and HealthQuarters launch a new 12-week recovery programme

A new partnership between Tauranga Te Papa Rotary and HealthQuarters is giving men in Tauranga a practical and supportive way to rebuild strength, confidence and connection after cancer.

The 12-week pilot programme has been developed for men who are currently undergoing cancer treatment, are in remission, or are recovering from cancer. It combines professionally guided exercise with wellbeing, encouragement and the opportunity to connect with others who understand the challenges of the cancer journey.

Elegant High Tea Raises Funds for Oasis House Playground and Days for Girls

The club was delighted to host a sold-out Charity High Tea on Saturday 11 July, welcoming more than 100 guests for an afternoon of friendship, generosity and community spirit, all in support of an exciting project to upgrade the playground at Oasis House and to supply funds to support the work for days for girls.

Events such as this are only possible because of the generosity of our community. The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa and Days for Girls extends its heartfelt thanks to every business, organisation and individual who generously donated auction items, raffle prizes and sponsorship .Your support has made a significant contribution towards creating an improved playground where the children and families of Oasis House can enjoy a safe, welcoming and engaging outdoor environment and the support to provide much needed materials to support the distribution of Days for Girls sanitary kits .

Thankyou to High Tea Sponsors

The Rotary Club extends its sincere thanks to the many businesses, organisations and individuals whose generous support made our Elegant High Tea such a success. Their donations of products, services and prizes, together with their ongoing commitment to our community, helped us raise valuable funds .
We are especially grateful to the following supporters:

Adrienne Ardern
Bella Vi
BBC
Brother NZ
Coffee & Teas
Good Buzz
Holistic Healing & Massage
iDigital
Ingham Motors
Karanda Bed & Breakfast Rotorua
Lion Breweries
Monarch Studios
NZ Beakers
Pak'nSave Cameron Road
Powder House
Ray White
Repertoire Mount Maunganui
Riana Leaf Wellness Integrative Nutritionist
Sarah Deighton & Co
Seeka
Sun Soft Wash
Tauranga Musical Theatre
Tauwhare China
The Dunes – Mount Maunganui
Urban Vogue
Warehouse Stationery

Acknowledgement

Without the generosity of these businesses, organisations and individuals, the Elegant High Tea would not have been the outstanding success it was. Their willingness to support our community enables the Rotary Club to continue delivering projects that make a real difference locally and beyond. We thank every sponsor, donor and volunteer for helping create such a memorable event.

New Club President Stephen Lange Welcome

The Rotary Club of Tauranga Te Papa is the largest Rotary club in the Tauranga region. Chartered in 1981, we have proudly served our community for more than 45 years, building a strong tradition of service, fellowship, and leadership.

Looking to make a difference, build lasting friendships, and give back to your community? We invite you to come along, meet our members, and discover what Rotary is all about.

We meet every Thursday at 12:00 pm for a light lunch at the Fish & Dive Clubrooms, 60 Cross Road, Tauranga. Visitors are always welcome. Simply contact us to arrange your visit.

THE GREAT TAURANGA DUCK RACE 2026

The Great Tauranga Duck Race 19 April 2026 - Results

5,000 Ducklings being dropped into the harbour to start the race today ( Sunday April 19).

Perfect weather and a large crowd made for an enjoyable morning for all.

Read on for results and to see if you won $1,000, $500 or $250.

On 18 March 2026, Year 12 students from Te Puke High School took part in the BOP Rotary Ryda Road Safety Program, 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.

2026 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