A small but dedicated group of Rotary Club of Ōmokoroa members are making a significant difference in people’s lives both locally and overseas.

With 16 members, the club has supported projects ranging from foodbank drives to youth mental health, men’s and women’s health initiatives, environmental projects and donations of refurbished laptops to children in New Zealand and developing countries.

The club held its first meeting in March 2023 when three founding members came together with a shared goal of serving their community.

It became a satellite club of the Rotary Club of Katikati in November that year with eight members before receiving its charter from Rotary International on April 23 this year.

Club president Murray Marshall, who took over from Bronwyn Carter on July 1, said the organisation was built from a “fantastic group of people” committed to making a difference.

“Our membership comes from a broad spectrum of our community, and most have had busy business careers or have been on the tools,” he said.

“We are very active, passionate, and community-focused people.”

Rotary Club of Ōmokoroa president Murray Marshall says club members' focus is "doing good in the 'hood" and improving the community here and abroad.

Marshall joined the club in April 2025 after moving to Ōmokoroa and quickly immersed himself in community organisations. This year he received the Ōmokoroa Volunteer of the Year Award.

An Ōmokoroa Community Board member, he described Rotary as an “unbelievable place” where members focus on improving their community through service and making things happen. “We have done lots of unbelievable stuff,” he said.

“One example is when one of our members heard the Ōmokoroa Foodbank was running low. We organised a food drive in early June and filled the shelves back up.”

Since its formation, the club has supported local schools and community resilience projects. It had also helped raise funds for public rescue equipment and tools for Ōmokoroa volunteer firefighters and first responders.

Working alongside Katikati Rotary, members have sent refurbished laptops to Hawke’s Bay, a Solomon Islands school and an orphanage in Cambodia to improve educational opportunities.

Marshall said they also were involved in beach and reserve clean-ups, native planting and the annual Ōmokoroa Godwit Festival in November.

Rotary Club of Ōmokoroa president Murray Marshall with the club's health shuttle van, which was launched in December last year.

One recent initiative was the club’s health shuttle service, launched last December to transport residents to medical and specialist appointments in Tauranga.

He said demand was growing, with six to eight passengers using the service a week.

“Instead of having to take a bus, taxi or other forms of transport, the shuttle takes you to appointments, and we also collect patients being discharged from Tauranga hospitals.”

This service was made possible with support from Katikati RSA, the Ōmokoroa Centre Trust, the Your Real Estate firm and contributions from club members.

Marshall said the club’s board had recently committed funds to help a local community group establish a youth group in Ōmokoroa.

“Our focus is to serve our community, to do good in the ‘hood, and improve the place we live in, and help to make the world a better place through our local and international initiatives.”

Members were also preparing for their annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Bash fundraiser on September 4, with some proceeds helping sustain the health shuttle service.

Beyond community projects, Marshall said fellowship remained a major reason people joined Rotary, and members were guided by Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self”.

“We have a great club, we have loads of fun and would love new volunteers to join our ranks.

People interested should email omokoroarotary@gmail.com