Projects

BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES, ONE PROJECT AT A TIME

We’re committed to creating meaningful, lasting change—both in our community and beyond—through practical action and dedicated service.

We proudly support the key causes of Rotary International, and we approach our work with compassion, collaboration, and a spirit of purpose.

Here’s how we’re making a difference in Kerikeri and beyond.

Peace

Promoting Peace

  • Rotary Youth Exchange

    For decades, our club has supported this year-long, life-changing experience for high school students. This year, Aline Koch from Switzerland is studying at Kerikeri High School, while Jordan Doherty is studying in Argentina.

  • Peace Fellowships

    Rotary funds Fellowships for people studying for their Master's Degree or obtaining a Professional Development certificate in peace and conflict prevention.

  • Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA)

Each year, we provide Kerikeri High School students the opportunity to learn about global diplomacy by attending a weekend-long simulated UN experience.

  • Blue Light Charity

We help fund this police-run initiative supporting at-risk youth, including providing a van bought with the help of Mid North Rotary clubs to transport young people to programs.

Disease

Fighting Disease

  • Polio Eradication

Since 1985, Rotary has helped immunise 3 billion children and cut polio cases by 99.9% through its PolioPlus program. Our club contributes $125 per member each year to this global effort.

  • Fred Hollows Foundation

We support this Foundation, which started to help indigenous Australians but now works globally to eradicate blindness. To date, over 3 million people have had their sight restored thanks to this foundation's work.

  • Care for the Elderly

We fund essential equipment like special mattresses and chairs in the Mid North to support our older community members.

Water

Creating Clean Water

Clean Water Projects in Vanuatu

We’ve completed many projects in Vanuatu to upgrade and restore fresh water systems and build toilets and showers, making life safer and healthier.

 

Mothers_Children

Saving Mothers and Children

  • Dental Aid in Vanuatu

We've funded routine care in Vanuatu and provided dentures to restore teenage smiles.

  • Te Tai Tokerau Tamariki Mental Wellbeing Project

    This Northland-wide program, funded over three years by a Global Grant from Rotary International and individual club members, builds resilience in primary school children. Club members have created Fun Days, where we've provided popular old-fashioned tabloid sports to encourage children's attendance.

  • Rotary Oceania Medical Assistance for Children (ROMAC) Program

    Our club supports this project by bringing children from the South Pacific region to NZ to provide life-saving and dignity-restoring surgery unavailable in their home countries.

Children showing off their new dictionaries from Rotary

Supporting Education

  • Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)

Each year, we send several young adults to this week-long leadership development course. It's a highly respected experience, and local businesses support it as part of their staff development.

  • Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN)

Run by RYLA Graduates and Rotarians, this weekend of personal development for Year 10 students has been described by participants as "life-changing." We send several students each year.

  • Dictionaries for Schools

Our club provides colourful Usborne Dictionaries to enhance the writing skills of Year 4 students. Each year, our club members distribute them to local schools throughout the Mid North.

  • Speech Competitions

We hold speech competitions each year in both Primary and Secondary schools to help students improve confidence and skills. The competition is sponsored by McLeods Lawyers.

  • Kaikohekohe Education Trust

    Our club sourced the seed money to establish this highly successful shared technology teaching collective through a Rotary Global Grant. This involved teacher training and networking between the schools and the community using Chromebooks.

  • Northland Corrections Facility Literacy Unit

We supply dictionaries and reading glasses to the Northland Regional Corrections Facility to help inmates in their reading and training.

Rotarians building the BBQ at the Town Basin

Growing Local Economies

  • Town Basin BBQ & Picnic Area

In 2009, we acquired a grant from our local Rotary District to help build the BBQ and picnic facility in the town basin. With the help of local businesses and many hours of planning, consultation, and hard labour by Rotarians and friends, the project was completed and handed over to the Far North District Council.

  • Sculptures & Public Art

We've supported beauty and creativity in central Kerikeri in various ways, including by providing the large sculpture on the footpath.

  • Graffiti Busters

We've recently taken up the mantle of long-time volunteers to help eradicate this type of vandalism in our town centre.

  • Hanging Baskets in the CBD

Each year, we help brighten the town with gorgeous hanging baskets, in partnership with the Business Association.

  • Playground at the Sports Ground

This is a place for kids to run, laugh, and let off steam, all built with our help.

  • Support for Local Charities

From supporting the Cancer Society, Domain Lodge, Hospice, St. John's, Northern Regional Rescue Helpcopiter and more, we give where it counts.

  • ShelterBox Disaster Relief

Every year, we donate to ShelterBox, Rotary's partner in global disaster relief. ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and life-saving supplies to people who have lost their homes due to weather-related issues or conflict.

  • Vanuatu Disaster Relief

    As part of our Rotary district, Vanuatu holds a special place in our hearts. For years, we've helped with funding and labour to rebuild schools and hospitals after cyclones and earthquakes.

Shade House

Protecting the Environment

  • Native Planting & Science Support

We built a shade house to provide a location for Kerikeri High School students to grow native water plants. We also support their analysis of our local waterways.

  • Wairoa Stream Bridges

We've built several bridges across the Wairoa Stream in collaboration with Vision Kerikeri, enhancing walkers' ability to experience more of our local natural beauty.

  • Te Araroa Trail Cleanups

We have regular working bees to keep this iconic track west of Rainbow Falls tidy, safe, and welcoming.