Rotary is a global network of community volunteers united by a commitment to service. Founded in Chicago in 1905 by lawyer Paul Harris and three friends, the organisation began as a stand against corruption and poor business ethics. Members met in rotation at each other’s offices — hence the name “Rotary.”
Today, Rotary International has more than 1.2 million members across 45,000 clubs in over 200 countries and territories, all guided by the motto “Service Above Self.” It is one of the world’s largest and most respected humanitarian organisations.
New Zealand’s first Rotary clubs — in Wellington and Auckland — were chartered in 1921, sixteen years after the movement was founded in Chicago. From those early clubs, Rotary has grown to include dozens of active clubs across the country, from Northland to Southland.
Rotary’s activities are organised around four core areas, known as the Four Avenues of Service:
“Service Above Self” is Rotary’s guiding motto — the idea that putting the needs of others and the community ahead of personal gain is both a privilege and a responsibility. It underpins everything Rotary clubs do, from local fundraising events to international humanitarian projects.
The Rotary Club of Omokoroa has been active since 2023 and has already delivered a wide range of community projects, including:
We also support projects run by other Rotary clubs around the Bay of Plenty.
Rotary International’s global humanitarian work spans six key focus areas: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, growing local economies, and saving mothers and children.
One of Rotary’s most significant international achievements is its decades-long commitment to eradicating polio. Since launching its first polio vaccination campaign in the Philippines in 1979, Rotary has helped reduce global polio cases by 99.9 percent, vaccinating more than 3 billion children across 122 countries.
Rotary New Zealand also supports Pacific communities through disaster relief — providing Emergency Response Kits following cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis — as well as longer-term development projects aimed at sustainable outcomes.
Rotary invests heavily in the next generation through a range of programmes:
Rotary New Zealand maintains a coordinated disaster response capacity, working with clubs around the country and with Rotary’s international networks. Following natural disasters in New Zealand and the Pacific — including cyclones, earthquakes, and floods — Rotary clubs mobilise quickly to distribute Emergency Response Kits, raise funds, and coordinate volunteer support.
The strength of Rotary’s disaster response lies in its local knowledge: each club understands its own community, which means aid reaches those who need it faster and more effectively than many centralised organisations can achieve.
Yes. Rotary clubs can and do use online fundraising platforms — such as Humanitix, Give A Little, or Rotary’s own Foundation channels — to raise money for specific local projects. If you have a community project in mind that you’d like Rotary support for, or if you’d like to donate to one of our existing initiatives, get in touch and we can discuss the best approach.
Email us at: omokoroarotary@gmail.com
We have a Health Shuttle webpage which should answer most of your questions
The 4-Way Test is a simple but powerful ethical guide that Rotarians apply to the things they think, say, and do. It asks four questions:
Created in 1932, the 4-Way Test has been translated into more than 100 languages and is used by Rotarians worldwide as a touchstone for decision-making.
Rotary welcomes men and women from all walks of life — professionals, business owners, managers, community leaders, and retirees. There is no single profile for a Rotarian. What matters most is a genuine desire to serve others and contribute positively to the community.
The Rotary Club of Omokoroa is a particularly diverse and welcoming club, with members ranging in age, background, and career experience. We are always looking for enthusiastic new members.
Membership is by invitation, but don’t let that put you off — the invitation process is straightforward. Simply come along to one of our meetings or get in touch with us, and we’ll take it from there. We’ll introduce you to the club, answer your questions, and invite you to attend a few times before any formal commitment is made.
Contact us at: omokoroarotary@gmail.com or call President Bronwyn Carter on 021 236 4623.
Absolutely — and we encourage it. You are very welcome to visit a few times, get a feel for how things work, meet some members, and see whether Rotary is right for you. There is no pressure and no obligation. Come as you are and see what you think.
A Member is a formally inducted Rotarian who pays annual dues, participates in club governance, and has full voting rights. A Friend of Rotary (sometimes called a Community Member or Rotary Friend, depending on the club) is someone who wants to support the club’s work — perhaps by volunteering at events or contributing to projects — without the full commitment of membership.
If you are interested in supporting what we do but aren’t ready to commit to full membership, being a Friend of Rotary is a great starting point. Speak to us and we can talk through what that might look like.
Rotary traditionally expected members to attend a set percentage of meetings each year, but most modern clubs — including ours — take a flexible approach. Life is busy, and we understand that. We ask members to engage as much as they reasonably can, and to stay connected with club projects and activities.
The Rotary Club of Omokoroa meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month at 8:00 am at the Omokoroa Boat Club. Meetings run for about an hour to 90 minutes.
This is largely up to you. Some members devote many hours each week to Rotary activities; others contribute more occasionally. What matters is meaningful engagement — turning up to meetings when you can, participating in projects that interest you, and being part of the community we’re building.
Beyond fortnightly meetings, there are usually a handful of social events and project activities throughout the year. Most members find Rotary fits comfortably alongside work and family commitments.
Membership fees cover your annual Rotary International and District subscriptions, as well as local club costs. The total varies by club but is generally very reasonable. At the Rotary Club of Omokoroa, we keep costs as accessible as possible.
Please contact us directly for current fee details: omokoroarotary@gmail.com
In addition to membership fees, most meetings involve a small charge covering your beverage or meal. Events and fundraisers are generally self-funded through ticket sales, so there is rarely an expectation to spend beyond what you choose to. There are no hidden costs — we are a transparent and welcoming club.
Membership offers a rich range of personal, professional, and social benefits:
Yes. There are several ways to get involved with Rotary without full membership. You can volunteer at events, support specific projects, or become a Friend of Rotary. Young people aged 18–30 can also join Rotaract, and school-aged students can participate through Interact clubs and youth programmes such as RYPEN and RYLA.
Talk to us — we’ll find a way to involve you that suits your circumstances.
