On October 5th, 250 local community members gathered for a Meet the Candidates evening jointly hosted by the Rotary Club of Havelock North and the Hastings Host Lions Club. Seven candidates standing for the Tukituki electorate took the stage to outline their platforms and address key questions submitted by the community, making for a engaging and successful event.
What a brilliant day at the Hastings Blossom Parade! From vibrant colours and amazing floats to wonderful music, the atmosphere was unmatched.
Shoutout to our Havelock North Rotary members, the Hastings Host Lions Club, and local volunteer teams who helped keep the event safe and smooth for everyone. Proud to support our community!
This beautiful spot has been hosting memories for over 50 years?
Officially opened on June 18, 1972, this area was originally known in the Nelson era as “the Island” – the unique slice of land sitting right between what was the up-drive and the down-drive.
Back in the day, it even featured a pergola covered in Kiwifruit – known then as Chinese Gooseberries. Members of the Havelock North Rotary Club transformed it into the perfect oasis for outdoor hobby groups and family picnics.
Five decades later, the iconic timber benches to the west of the lawn are still the perfect place to sit back, relax, and take it all in.
From weddings and community meetings to countless sunny afternoon gatherings, this lawn has seen so much community activity.
Thanks to the Rotary-administered J.R. McKenzie Scholarship, these students recently took on the ultimate Outward Bound experience – an opportunity they said would have otherwise “just been a pipe dream.”
From sailing and navigating without technology, to building deep resilience, teamwork, and lifelong friendships across New Zealand, this three-week course empowers young leaders to unlock their full potential.
For students aged 16 – 18, the next course will be held in the July 2027 school holidays with applications closing in late March 2027.
This year a Havelock North student was selected to attend. The cost of this year’s three week course was $6,894 with the J R McKenzie Trust contributing $4,025 and the Havelock North Rotary Club contributing a further $500.
If you know an inspiring young person ready to step out of their comfort zone, reach out to your local Rotary Club early in 2027 to submit an expression of interest.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Trees at Keirunga Gardens. Next time you’re walking near the boundary between Keirunga Gardens and the Havelock North Cemetery, take a moment to look for a special grove of trees. These trees were planted many years ago by Rotary Youth Exchange students, hosted by families of the Havelock North Rotary Club, as a living legacy of their time in our community.
1987: Californian Redwood planted by Pam Rowe of Arizona, USA 
1992: Canadian Maple planted by Shauna Orr of Alberta, Canada 
1994: Brazilian Firebush planted by Natalia Demundo of Itapolis, Brazil 
1999: Canadian Maple planted by Alexandra Rutherford of Alberta, Canada
These trees are a wonderful reminder of the visitors who became part of our lives, grew with us, and left their mark!
The Stories Behind the Scenery at Te Mata Peak
Many of us have stood at the summit of Te Mata Peak, taking in those breathtaking, panoramic views of Hawke’s Bay. But have you ever stopped to think about the history beneath your feet?
Known to Māori as Te Mata o Rongokako, this is a place of deep spiritual and cultural significance – a sacred taonga tuku iho (heavenly gift).
To help visitors safely experience this incredible, sacred landscape, the viewing area at the top was specially developed back in 1998.
This fantastic community asset was a joint project built by two dedicated local groups:
The Rotary Club of Havelock North
The Hawke’s Bay Branch of the NZ Contractors Federation
Next time you’re up at the Peak enjoying the view, spare a thought for the history of the land and the team who built the platform we stand on!
A Legacy of Green: Havelock North Rotary’s 50+ Year Gift to Napier Road.
Did you know the beautiful trees welcoming you into Havelock North have a rich history?
Back in 1973, members of the Havelock North Rotary Club planted 30 trees – a vibrant mix of Gleditsia, Plane, Melia, and Liquid Amber – along the Napier Road median strip. For 46 years, they provided our community with a truly spectacular streetscape.
Fast forward to 2018: a vital new water main linking Hastings and Havelock North had to be laid right beneath the median. Regrettably, the original trees had to be removed for the infrastructure project.
But the story didn’t end there! Working closely with the Hastings District Council, Havelock North Rotary stepped up once again. Following the pipeline work, 21 beautiful Bradford Pear trees were planted.
With their neat pyramid shapes, stunning early spring blossoms, and fiery red, orange, and maroon autumn leaves, these trees ensure that Rotary’s green legacy continues to bloom for generations to come.
We look forward to seeing these trees in blossom in late August.
Did you know the “Village Blacksmith” has been watching over Havelock North for over 35 years?
In 1988, to celebrate their 25th anniversary, the Havelock North Rotary Club wanted to gift something truly special to our community. They commissioned renowned artist Terry Stringer to create the iconic bronze sculpture we see today near the iSite visitor centre.
But there is a piece of real history sitting right next to him! The anvil used in the sculpture isn’t just a prop – it is the original anvil used by local blacksmith Robert Given at the village forge.
Next time you’re by the fountain, take a second to appreciate this salute to our village’s hardworking roots.
Imagine losing everything in a matter of minutes. For over three decades, New Zealand Rotarians have seen the devastating impact of natural disasters on our Pacific neighbours – and they chose to act.
Today, the Havelock North Rotary Club continues that proud legacy by supporting the Rotary Emergency Response Kit programme.
What’s inside a kit?
Shelter: Weatherproof tarpaulins, a hammer, nails, and a folding shovel.
Sustenance: A machete, hunting knife, fishing kit, cooking grate, and cooking pot.
Health & Dignity: Basic clothing, underwear, bed covers, and a medical pack with water purifying tablets.
Clean Water: The 78L container itself turns into a water treatment unit.
Stored centrally and ready for immediate air dispatch, these kits cost $600 each to source and freight. We are incredibly proud to join in with other New Zealand Rotary clubs to play our part in bringing safety and comfort to families when they need it most.
Our Havelock North Rotary Club is thrilled to announce that Nadine Gaunt has been awarded an Honorary Membership – the highest honor our club can bestow.
Honorary membership is reserved for those who truly embody Service Above Self, and Nadine fits the bill perfectly. Nadine’s dedication to making our community a better place is an inspiration to us all.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Nadine to our ranks,” says Club President John Altham. “While this is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for her incredible impact, we honestly feel like the lucky ones to have her in our Rotary Club.”
Nadine founded Re-Source nine years ago and has continued to lead and guide this wonderful organisation as it grows, putting in incredible amounts of time, week by week, year by year.
Congratulations, Nadine, Havelock North Rotary Club is so proud to officially call you one of our own!
What a difference two years makes! 
Two years ago, Keirunga Park Railway asked our club for a helping hand with the landscaping around their station.
The top picture shows our Rotary members hard at work getting the job done. The bottom picture shows the beautiful result now!
Another successful community service project completed in partnership with a fantastic local group. We love supporting our community!
Club members have been keeping our community warm! Thanks to the hard work of the inmates at Mangaroa Prison, who cut and split a massive supply of firewood, we’ve been able to hit the road for some essential deliveries.
Working under the direction of Re-Source, our team has been distributing full trailer loads of wood directly to families and individuals nominated by local social service agencies.
Veronica, Charlie, and Kevin spent last Thursday afternoon doing the heavy lifting – handling both the loading and the deliveries to get the job done. John, Kaye, Renee, Stephen and Peter have also been taking turns undertaking the loading and the deliveries. So far, this winter, close to 50 deliveries have been made – involving well over 1,000km of travel!
Thank you to everyone involved in this fantastic team effort. Your hard work is making a real, tangible difference in our community!
Over the past few months, members of Havelock North Rotary Club have been refurbishing the access ramp to the art room at Keirunga Gardens. This allows wheelchair access to the first-floor art room. Last Wednesday a small group assembled to celebrate the completion of the work, which was funded by Keirunga Gardens Arts and Craft inc, the Artists Group and Havelock North Rotary Club.
Chris Moore, the Chairperson of the Arts and Crafts committee, spoke of the 50 year history of the building and thanked the Rotarians who renovated the access ramp.
The Havelock North Rotary Club has officially completed the refurbishment of the access ramp to the first-floor art room at Keirunga Gardens, ensuring full wheelchair accessibility for our community’s artists.
To mark the occasion, a small group assembled last Wednesday to celebrate the project’s completion. The upgrade was proudly co-funded by Keirunga Gardens Arts and Craft Inc, the Artists Group, and the Havelock North Rotary Club.
During the gathering, Chris Moore, Chairperson of the Arts and Crafts committee, spoke about the building’s 50-year history and expressed sincere gratitude to the Rotarians for their hard work and dedication to preserving this local asset.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this fantastic community project!
On Sunday, April 19th, we celebrated the very first Earth Day at the Havelock North Domain. We want to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by the Havelock North Rotary tent to donate their used spectacles to Eye Care For Africa.
Ever wonder what happens to your donated glasses? Here’s the journey they take:
Once they arrive, these glasses are given to local residents, literally transforming their lives through the gift of clear sight.
We are so proud to support Eye Care For Africa, a fantastic charity based right here in Hastings. 🇳🇿🤝🇹🇿
We are so proud to showcase these beautiful, hand-knitted jerseys, headed out to local 4 to 10 year-olds this week. This project is a true “full circle” community effort:
The Need has been identified by a local social agency.
The Bridge is Re-Source, who brought the need to our attention.
The Coordination is The Havelock North Rotary Club, who rallied a talented group of local ladies to get the job done – and there are many, many more jerseys still to be knitted.
The Funding for high-quality wool was purchased thanks to everyone who supported the Havelock North Rotary Club Christmas Trailer Raffle!
Beyond these jerseys, our amazing knitters have been busy crafting slippers, gloves, blankets, and even special comfort dolls. Thank you to everyone who plays a part in keeping our community warm and cared for.
On the weekend of 20th-22nd March 2026, the Rotary Summit Conference was held at the War Memorial Conference Centre in Napier. In the Exhibition Hall, our club promoted the work of Eye Care For Africa, promoting the need for used glasses, which will be refurbished and measured prior to being sent to the Eye Care For Africa clinic in Shinyanga, Tanzania.
A Hastings social agency knows of children who rarely receive treats, such as an Easter egg. They approached Re-Source to find a solution. Re-Source asked Havelock North Rotarians if they could supply 80 Easter eggs and 80 hand-knitted Easter bunnies. Of course we could!
Bringing the Joy of Cycling Back to New Zealand Schools.
In just one generation, the way New Zealand children experience the outdoors has shifted dramatically. A few decades ago, primary school students were biking an average of 30 minutes per week. Today, that number has plummeted to less than 5 minutes, with many children never getting the opportunity to ride a bike at all.
In 2010, one of our club members co-founded The Bikes On NZ Charitable Trust and its Bikes in Schools project, as he believes every child deserves the chance to experience the freedom, health, and confidence that comes with cycling regularly.
The Solution: A Complete In-School Package
We all know that barriers like bike costs, lack of storage, and safety concerns can stop kids from riding. To solve this, Bikes in Schools help schools implement a comprehensive Bikes in Schools package. This isn’t just a few bikes in a shed—it is a complete ecosystem built within the school grounds:
Fleet of Bikes: A range of bicycles suited for all ages and abilities.
Safety Helmets: Ensuring every child is protected from day one.
Purpose-Built Tracks: On-site tracks that provide a safe, controlled environment to learn.
Secure Storage: Custom bike sheds to keep equipment safe and weather-proof.
Access to Cycle Skills Training: Professional instruction to build lifelong road safety and handling skills.
Why It Matters: Beyond the Pedals
Biking is a gateway to more than just physical movement. By integrating cycling into the daily school environment, a measurable impact on our tamariki can be observed.
The health and fitness benefit is increased cardiovascular health and physical coordination. The students learn real-world skills that keep them safe on our roads and overcoming the challenge of learning to ride builds resilience. Importantly, every child gets to participate, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
Havelock North Rotary Club is proud to support the Bike On NZ Charitable Trust, whose goal is to get every New Zealand primary school child biking regularly, safely, and with a smile on their face!
Please visit https://bikeon.org.nz/
The art room at the Keirunga Creative Arts Venue is a hub of local talent, but the old access ramp was showing its age. Between worn timber and slippery surfaces, it was time for a Rotary-style makeover!
Our team has been hard at work to ensure every artist can get to the studio safely and easily. This project included:
No more slippery slopes—just a smooth, safe path to creativity! We are proud to support Keirunga Creative Arts Venue in making sure their upstairs art room is truly accessible to everyone in our community.
The ramp and deck were finished in time for Easter!