Home Blog

Club Fundraiser – Book Fair 20th-22nd November 2026

WANTED >> Second hand books >>
We are pleased to announce the famous Onehunga BOOK FAIR is returning in 2026 to the Onehunga Community House for 3-days from Fri 20th – Sun 22nd Nov 2026.

Entry is free from 9am Friday 20th Nov.
(Early Bird entry fee $30 between 7am-9am Friday 20th Nov)

Drop off books between 9-19th at:
1. Sunhill Market (look for our signed TRAILER at south end of car park)
317 St Johns Rd, Kohimarama
or
2. Onehunga Community HOUSE
83 Selwyn St, Onehunga (Open 8:30am – 13:30 pm daily)
or
3. We can pick them up from you – please contact:
Robin Hulford: Tel 096249102, Mb: 0212288289, email: robin@thehulfords.com
Derek Neutze Tel: 096249151, Mb: 0212662057, email: dandmneutze@xtra.co.nz

Why End Polio?

As long as polio exists anywhere in the world, it is a threat to children everywhere.

In 1988, an estimated 350,000 children were paralyzed by wild polio across more than 125 countries.

20 million people are walking today who would have otherwise been paralyzed by polio.Today, thanks to the work of Rotary and our partners, we have reduced cases by 99.9%.

In 2026 wild polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and variant polio outbreaks threaten the progress we have made against the disease. We must also keep all other countries polio-free until we’re certain it won’t resurface.

*In New Zealand the polio vaccination is free and is given as part the diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hep B, and Hib vaccine. 

This vaccination is free for babies at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 5 months. Your pēpi (baby) needs all 3 doses to be fully protected. It protects against 6 vaccine-preventable diseases in 1 injection.

In Aotearoa, immunisation against polio started in 1961. Before polio vaccines were available, nearly every person became infected; with babies and young children most affected.

There is no cure for polio — it can only be prevented by immunisation. 

Until polio is completely eliminated overseas, there is still a risk of polio being imported into Aotearoa New Zealand.

(*Ref: Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand)

In 1979, a boy named Allan Evangelista received one of the first drops of the oral polio vaccine in the Philippines as part of Rotary’s first polio immunization campaign. Nearly five decades later, an unexpected discovery reconnects Allan and his family with that important moment in history.

Watch the video here

National Secondary School Art Awards 2026

We congratulation the winners of the National Secondary Schools Art Works Awards 2026 run by The Arts House Trust . The awards took place on 10th September in the Pah House art gallery, Hillsborough.

This is the 14th consecutive year The Arts House Trust has run the competition were about 250 visitors attend the event. The judging committee received 774 entries (+40% from last year), from 135 schools nationwide and from which 75 finalists were chosen.

The Arts House Trust Curation Team and guest judge Judy Darragh faced the difficult task of choosing the winners.

1st Place: Koromiko Ellwood with Concrete Guitars (Year 13, WGHS – Westlake Girls High School) sponsored by Rotary Club of Maungakiekie.

2nd Place: Chloe van Schalkwyk with Painted Reality (Year 11, Saint Kentigern).

3rd Place: Alexandra Poor with Maea (Year 13, Rutherford College).

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Prize: Ezra Tevaga with Tuiga series (Year 13, Liston College).

Rotary Maungakiekie supports youth education and leadership, child wellbeing and community development. Through hands-on service, partnerships and other assistance, we’ve helped create lasting change locally and internationally, while contributing to Rotary’s worldwide humanitarian work – Join us.

2026 Epsom ANZAC Service

YouTube VIDEO            2026 Epsom ANZAC Service Sheet

Wonderful turnout this morning on a brilliant day as a good number of the Community, both young and old, gathered for the 45-min 11am Epsom ANZAC Service.

Courage Has Many Resting Place is the theme this year as we remember ‘All The Fallen’ along side those Epsom soldiers who fell in WWI (1914-1918).

Highlighs included:

Gail Romano (Curator War History Museum Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Hira), recalls the journey of two ‘Donald Brown’s’ from Otago and Auckland who found themselves on the Somme on the morning of 15th Sept 1916.

The Reverend Jeremy Woods (St George’s Church, Epsom) reflected on the words contained in this years theme. The courage of those soldiers who fought; reurned to normal society; of the public who faced uncertainty and anxiety back then; and the courage we all need to have now to face the world’s current challenges – as those sodiers did, back then.

Kendyl Smith (Albert-Eden Local Board, Auckland Council) reads an ANZAC poem before leading the Laying of Wreaths.

Cmdr. Robin Halford RNZN (retd) reads the Roll of Honour of those soldiers displayed on the sides of the park archway.

Thanks also to the Epsom District Girl Guides and the St George Scout Group for placing and retreiving the colours.

 

2026 Epsom ANZAC Service

Time: 11am, Saturday 25th April, 2026.

At: Merivare Reserve, Cnr Manukau Rd & Ranfurly RD, Epsom.

Join us this ANZAC Day as we honour those who served and remember those who did not return.

This year’s address explores the human stories of two young, unrelated New Zealanders who shared the same name and fought in the Battle of the Somme, reminding us that courage has many resting places.

Hope to see you there.

2026 Think And Be Me Hawke’s Bay Tractor Trek

The two-week Think And Be Me Foundation Tractor Trek (formerly the Feelings For Life Charitable Trust Tractor Trek) took place from 23 February to 6 March 2026.

Think And Be Me is a mental-regulation programme for young children delivered throughout the year by Cat Levine and Willie to Year 1–6 students. Each summer, the Tractor Trek crew join them for two weeks to help deliver the programme to schools.

Last year the Trek team visited Te Tai Tokerau (Northland). This year the convoy travelled south to visit schools in Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay).

Highlights from the 2026 Trek

  • 20 primary schools (Years 1–6, ages 5–10) visited

  • Around 3,000 children participated in the Think And Be Me programme

  • Approximately 8.5 hours of shows delivered (20–30 minutes each)

  • After each show, children enjoyed 30 minutes climbing on the tractors, meeting the Trek team, and singing “Happy Birthday” to Rusty, the “200-year-old” tractor

  • Ten tractors attended each school — seven from Auckland, three from Whanganui, and one from Hamilton

  • Over 17 days, the convoy travelled 1,500 km at an average speed of 29 km/h

The volunteer drivers, all passionate tractor enthusiasts, came from a variety of backgrounds including mechanics, engineers, former farmers, and office workers. Our sincere thanks go to them for generously covering their own diesel, food, and accommodation.

Special thanks also to Narrows Park Christian Camp (Hamilton) and the Guthrie-Smith Arboretum (Tutira, Napier) for their support.

The Foundation also gratefully received $2,545 in donations through Givealittle.

Most of all, everyone agreed the trek was great fun, enjoying the children, the companionship, and the countryside along the way.

2025 McKeever – Walls – Haskell Student Awards

Winners of McKeever – Wall – Haskell 2025 Student Awards with Rotary Mangakeikei President, Barry Stafford.

A great Schools Awards night was had by all on the 1st December, hosted by Club and attended by Principals and proud parents of pupils from six local schools.

Eleven students were handed scholarship awards for personal achievement during the year. Teachers within the schools themselves determined who each of the award winners were.

These special annual awards are sponsored by three local  businessmen and reflect the values they held during working lives in Onehunga, many years ago.

We would like to thank thank Fred McKeever, Dennis Walls and Alan Haskell who were represented by their respective family members tonight.

Attending schools included: Onehunga High School, Royal Oak Intermediate, St Joseph’s Catholic School Onehunga, Te Papapa School, Oranga School and Onehunga Primary School.

We congratualte each of the winning pupils and wish them much seucess in the future. We also like to thank the Principals and Teachers for creating that environment from which those pupils have thrived.

2025 BOOK FAIR – Fri 21st to Sun 23rd November

This year’s Book Fair will be over three days again from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd

WANTED … Second hand books.

We are collecting books from 10-20th November 2025.

Books can be left at:

Sunhill Market, 317 St Johns Rd, Kohimarama (look for our trailer with a sign at the south end of the car park), or 

Onehunga Community HOUSE, 83 Selwyn St, Onehunga, 

or we can pick them up from you – please see details below.

Joy of Walking

Joy of Walking is a community programme inspired by club Past President Barry Stafford that turns walking into a social adventure.Barry’s goal was to “create something that brings people together while encouraging them to see their local area with fresh eyes” in the Onehunga, One Tree Hill, Epsom and surrounds.  Each month features a new self-directed walk and themed challenge and would be presented to make “familiar streets feel like an adventure.”

Each mothly comes with a chance to share discoveries with fellow walkers through a dedicated Facebook community and weekly newsletter.

The Joy of Walking project is powered by the Freewalks.nz platform who will professionally manage the programme.

The program encourages people of all ages to get active, build connections, and rediscover their community step by step. As Barry says: “When you slow down and truly look, it’s surprising how much you notice. We’re sure locals will uncover more hidden treasures in their neighbourhood than they ever thought possible.”

Register free at www.joyofwalking.nz to receive monthly walking maps.

Blues Charitable Trust – 2025 update

Blues Charitable Trust

Flipbook presentation

Last year our club donated $11,000 to the Blues Charitable Trust (BCT) towards learning resources for 400 plus emerging leaders.

This week Rob Woodley ONZM  General Manager BCT updated members on the Trust’s progress in 2024/25 with the high-performance rugby team the Auckland Blues.

The Trust initiated youth development program is designed to empower emerging leaders from high schools across the Blues Region in Auckland. It targets 16-year-olds at a critical juncture in their lives, where they must make significant decisions about their educational and career pathways.

The Trust collaborates with Principals who select ten promising students from their school, focusing on those who exhibit leadership potential but may be at risk of disengagement from education or community involvement.

The program operates under three main pillars: Leadership Development, Career Guidance, and Community Engagement.

By leveraging the influence of rugby players as mentors, the Trust facilitates workshops and discussions that encourage students to aspire to leadership roles and make informed choices about their futures.

The involvement of professional athletes serves not only to inspire the youth but also to instil valuable life lessons, emphasizing the importance of resilience and good decision-making.

The impact of the Blues Charitable Trust is substantial, with over 400 students participating in a year-long program that has reached 50 high schools. The initiative fosters a sense of community and collaboration among diverse groups of students, enhancing their confidence and leadership skills.

The program also includes bespoke elements catering to students who may be at higher risk, thus broadening its reach and effectiveness.

We congratulate Rob’s achievements over the last year and acknowledge what he and his team are doing is something really special. It is so encouraging to see more schools  joining the programme to develop our future leaders.

LATEST POSTS

Why End Polio?

0
As long as polio exists anywhere in the world, it is a threat to children everywhere. In 1988, an estimated 350,000 children were paralyzed by...
- Advertisement -

POPULAR POSTS