Otumoetai is a Maori word meaning, “the tide standing as if asleep”. Contrary to the meaning of its name, the Rotary Club of Otumoetai is definitely not standing-as-if-asleep as it meets each week on the shores of the Tauranga harbour.
Otumoetai Rotary welcomes men and women with the vision “to grow as a vibrant and professional group of diverse , supportive members who make a positive difference by supporting the community”. The club was chartered in 1968 and has contributed several past district governors.
The club has a strong bond of fellowship, usually starting each year with a BBQ, followed during the year with social occasions in members’ homes, with the added mystery of ‘guess who is coming to dinner’.
In 2014 the president laid down the challenge to bring home the cup in the Rotary Yachting Regatta. With a fast boat and a determined crew the challenge was achieved. We have also recently won a Tauranga inter club trophy.
Youth service is a focus of the club, with strong relationships with Otumoetai College and Merivale School. Each year the club is successful in placing secondary students at the Summer Science Schools in Hamilton and Auckland.
In recent years we have hosted several Rotary Youth Exchange students from Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands and German. We also regularly sponsor students from New Zealand to participate in international exchanges.
The club is also active in the community. In the Te Puna Quarry Park you will find a Rotary Garden, and a Sensory Garden, which was developed to enable the blind to touch and feel the plants, with a sign in braille outlining the purpose of the garden. The path through the garden is concreted and gives access to all persons with a disability, and with signage in braille outlining the purpose of the garden. The club is represented on the board of the Kopurererua Trust and assists in the planting of trees along Route “K”, the northern entrance to the city from the Kaimais. To date around 20 hectares and $1million worth of trees has been planted in the area, which will develop into amazing wooded walkways and cycleways, and will be an asset to the city.
Fundraising projects have included running an Antique Fair and Golf Tournaments. We have recently also organised musical concerts and an island style Luau. Proceeds from our activities being distributed to community organisations.If you want to join a club which making a difference for the local and International community, and having FUN and FELLOWSHIP doing it, give us a call.
