Welcome to Rotary Club of Stortford Lodge (Hastings)
We invite you to find out about us.
Stortford Lodge is an easy-going club. Our members enjoy a balance of service, socialising and fellowship.
Our first meeting was held in 1966. That’s 59 years ago.
Since its inception the Club has raised in excess of $1 million for local, national and international projects and charities and has spent many thousands of hours making a difference to our local, national and international communities.
Interested to get involved?
We meet at the Havelock North Function Centre
30 Te Mata Rd, Havelock North 4130
Would you like to join us?
Visit us
Have dinner with us
Meet interesting Speakers
Think about becoming a member
Email us in advance before the meeting on Tuesdays
"Unite for Good" is Rotary International's New Theme for 2025/26 
This message encourages Rotary members to work together to create positive change in their communities and around the world. The theme emphasizes the power of unity and collaboration in achieving Rotary's goals of service and impact.
Latest News
The prestigious Rotary National Science and Technology Forum!
This highly-regarded, 35-year-old program offers 14 days of life-changing experiences for high-achieving Year 12 students. Imagine:
Exploring tertiary-level science, maths, and technology.
Participating in dynamic lectures, labs, and field stations.
Meeting and networking with leading industry professionals.
Join us in congratulating these future innovators! We can’t wait to hear all about their amazing experience.
#district9930 #scienceschool #rotaryyouth
Farewell to Brian and Shona
Farewell to Brian and Shona moving to other shores in the South Island. A big thank you for being such a respected member of our club in the true sense of service above self. Thank you to Stewart for giving him the best 'send off' with plenty of personal insights, family contributions, club members appreciation and of course lots of humour. We all wishing you lots of unforgettable memories and a great start in your next phase of your life. Keep in touch!
Visiting the Helicopter Rescue Centre Hawke's Bay
We wanted know about the history from very humble beginnings (with Peter Dunkerley on the committee), activity and how the whole NZ system works; costs of equipment (which blew our minds), the future, with the government providing funds to cover four new helicopters from Airbus and the importance of local support needed to ensure the continuance of the local facility.
Afterwards we adjourned to a very noisy Jarks for a meal. Thank you Fiona for organising this event.
Rotary in Action!
Members of our club were busy unloading trees generously donated by PF Olsen 🌳 — ready for upcoming planting projects in partnership with the Karamu Catchment Collective (KKC).
Through this partnership, we’re supporting the restoration of waterways and wetlands across the region, helping return the Karamu to its natural beauty. 🌱
It’s all part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to environmental enhancement and a great way for our members to connect with the wider community while making a real difference. 💧💚
A big thank you to PF Olsen for their generous support and also to BioRich Awatoto for their generous support.
#RotaryInAction #PeopleOfAction #Environment #KaramuCatchment #Community #Rotary
Frimley Park Open Day Rose Show
Richard, Bridgit and Ken assisted with car parking for disabled attendees. Not quite so hard work as the firewood and desk moving boys!!!!! Those plastic chairs get a bit hard after a while….. It’s always good to help the Hastings District Council especially Emma, their organiser. Thank you Team for participating.
Melbourne Cup 2025 - a night of fun, fellowship and betting
If you've ever been to the Melbourne Cup, you'll know why people often call it ‘The Race That Stops A Nation'. It doesn't get any bigger or better than this.
We did not want to miss out on the big money and celebrated at one of our member's home. We enjoyed each other's company with catching up with friends, cheering with anticipation of betting for the right horse and the weather was great too.
Rotary in Action! - 20 happy potters managed to pot 2,200 shrubs !!!
What a great fun afternoon/evening. We had those who carted soil to the table tops, those who dropped all the plants on the table tops too, then there were those (the wholly skilled ones) who, one way or another, inserted the plants and soil in plastic bags together and placed them in wheelbarrows or containers, then there were those who carted them to their final (well, sort of) final resting place and those who made space in trenches to house them until they make their final move next year sometime (guess who’s doing that !!!), not forgetting there was also one who ordered the pizzas and kept them warm.
Rotary in Action!
Members of our club were busy unloading trees generously donated by PF Olsen 🌳 — ready for upcoming planting projects in partnership with the Karamu Catchment Collective (KKC).
Through this partnership, we’re supporting the restoration of waterways and wetlands across the region, helping return the Karamu to its natural beauty. 🌱
It’s all part of Rotary’s ongoing commitment to environmental enhancement and a great way for our members to connect with the wider community while making a real difference. 💧💚
A big thank you to PF Olsen for their generous support and also to BioRich Awatoto for their generous support.
#RotaryInAction #PeopleOfAction #Environment #KaramuCatchment #Community #Rotary
Recognition
The club was recognised with the District Environmental Award for all the hard work the team did this year to replace the boardwalk and other remedial work in Pekapeka Wetland. Particular involvement of Brian McLay, Stew Brodie, Brian Kelsey, Peter Mackie and John Ellingham.
Ken Haines was presented with “Rotarian of the Year 2024-2025 Award” which was gratefully received.
Changeover 2025-26 - Outstanding achievements recognised
We are grateful for our presidents, board and committees to take on the leadership each year. Stuart Knauf has taken over from Stewart Brodie. We also nominated 2 members who have shown outstanding achievements, Brian McClay and Ken Hines who received the Paul Harris Fellowship Medal. Congratulations!
Coming up
Christmas Time and Holiday Break
The year has come to an end with a recollection of all the wonderful activities that we did throughout the year:
- Taking care of the Waimarama Trail and Peka Peka Wetlands
- Cutting more firewood for the next winter
- Meeting amazing speakers
- Celebrating achievements from our business and non-profit communities
- Supporting street collections for various organisations
- Raising money for Charity
- Potting over 2200 trees
- Providing opportunities for meeting new members and more
Rotary Oceania Summit 2026
Napier War Memorial Centre | 20 - 22 March 2026
The Combined Districts of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands welcome you to join us
The Rotary Oceania Summit 2026 is a premier gathering of Rotary international members from across the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, bringing together leaders, changemakers and professionals, committed to making a difference in their communities…
Register now
You will find us on Facebook
We have got a new Facebook page. Follow us for all our news and projects.
Ongoing Projects
Pekapeka Wetland Repair
Cyclone Gabrielle has left this beautiful Wetland in total disarray. EIT students, Rotary and HDC are working together to repair the damage. This will take a long time but we are committed to make it happen. The Cycle Trail Magazine thanked us for the maintenance of the trail. Over the last few weeks mowing, weeding and spraying has been undertaken by our members and the trail looks nice.
Just recently some substantial damage has been discovered and we have taken this to HDC to provide a solution for repairs.
Firewood Working Bee
The firewood is for sale to anyone for a reasonable price. Contact us for enquiries
Waimarama Trail
Peter and Stuart are clearing blackberry on the Waimarama Road section of the trail that we adopted. The blackberry was starting to encroach on the trail and HB Regional Council asked us to clear it.
Social Bike Rides
A part of our Club's weekly activities is a social bike ride around the fantastic Hawke's Bay Cycle Trails, which were originally funded by Rotary Clubs in Hawke's Bay in partnership with Napier City Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
Our Club holds weekly rides on Wednesday mornings which are open to anyone. We ride different trails to a suitable coffee stop and then back to our starting point.
Thanks to Hawke's Bay Regional Council for helping maintain these beautiful trails for us all to enjoy.