Last February Johnsonville Rotary launched its “Toot4Tucker” collection in Newlands, collecting dry and canned food items (and donations if you wish) for our local Foodbanks and we are doing it again on the evening of Tuesday 24 February 2026 from 6:00pm.
You’ll see us coming because we’ll wear hi-viz vests, and you’ll certainly hear us coming thanks to the fantastic support from the fire engine and team from the Newlands Fire Station.
Please check the webpage for details of the route and how you can support the collection
Johnsonville Rotary thanks all stallholders, entertainers, visitors, and sponsors for making the 2025 Johnsonville Christmas Market a success this year.
We are pleased to confirm all the proceeds from this year’s market have now been donated to two local community causes:
Lifting the Lid; a Rotary program that enables local schools to quickly source additional or complementary interventions for students who have or are at risk of developing mental health issues.
Kiwi Community Assistance (KCA); a local organisation that supports our local community by rescuing surplus food and household goods and redistributing them to frontline agencies assisting those in need.
We would like to thank the people of Johnsonville and Churton for their generosity in supporting Toot 4 Tucker this year
Over 700kg of food and additional cash donations was collected from residents in Johnsonville and Churton Park across the two collections on the 11th and 18th November respectivly, to support Kiwi Community Assistance (KCA). KCA supports local Wellington communities by rescuing surplus food and household goods and redistributing them to frontline agencies assisting those in need such as local Foodbanks and Soup Kitchens.
Special thanks to the crew and Fire Engine from Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Brigade for making the noise with the sirens to let residents know the collection was taking place and for supporting Toot 4 Tucker again this year.
On Friday, 7 November, Wellington’s new Mayor Andrew Little celebrated the achievements of 18 students from 16 schools at the Wellington North Primary Schools Citizenship Awards. Schools from Churton Park, Paparangi, Newlands, Johnsonville, Khandallah, Ngaio, and Crofton Downs participated for the first time.
The awards, initiated in 2015 by former Northern Ward Councillor Malcolm Sparrow, have been supported by Johnsonville Rotary and more recently by the Rotary Club of Wellington North. Students were honoured for their exceptional citizenship, including volunteering, helping peers, and active school involvement. Each recipient received a trophy, certificate, and book token, with their names engraved on school shields—some schools now on their second.
Around 150 family members, educators, and community leaders attended the event. Head students from Newlands College spoke about the importance of good citizenship, reinforcing the event’s strong community spirit.
Johnsonville Rotary was delighted to welcome Esra Erdonmez as the newest member of our club. At our October meeting, Mana Tangata Rotary Club President Wayne Gordon officially inducted Esra, marking a warm and memorable start to her Rotary journey.
Mana Tangata Rotary Club President Wayne welcomes Esra to Johnsonville Rotary
Johnsonville Rotary is pleased to confirm the Johnsonville Christmas Market will be back and on Saturday 6th December. As in previous years it will be located in the main carpark to the Johnsonville Shopping Centre. All funds raised at the market will be donated to support local charitable activities.
For 2025 Father Christmas is arriving on a Fire Engine at 10:00am and will then officially open the market. The Fire Engine will then park up and be available for visitors and the Fire Service will then collect gifts and non-perishable food for Kiwi Communiy Assistance (KCA) to provide to people in need over Christmas.
This year we have a wide range of stalls selling everything from clothing, jewellry, cosmetics, and plants and also food both as take away and ready-to-eat on the day.
There will be live music and entertainment throughout including Sri Lankan Dancers, a Swing Band, The Take Note Singers, and The Wellington Carnival Steet Band make a welcome return visit too.
The weather forecast is looking good so please come down and visit the Johnsonville Christmas Market on Saturday 6th December between 10:00am to 2:pm
We would like to thank Johnsonville Shopping Centre, all our stall holders, our sponsors Collective, Woolworths, and The Cancer Society for their fantastic support.
The countdown is on with just one week to go till the 2025 Plimmerton Rotary Garden Trail!
Our neighbouring Plimmerton Rotary Club have organised a Springtime treat- a tour of ten gardens around the Pauatahanui Harbour. So, if you want an event to heighten your senses then block out your diaries for November 1st and 2nd. Tickets are just $20 per person
With a range of gardens on show from bijou suburban hideaways to a lifestyle block, and from an 1860s cottage garden to a modern design gem. We are sure you find some inspiration to take home with you.
You will be able to purchase tickets and obtain a printed copy of the Trail map from Tommys Real Estate Office, Mana 99 The Esplanade on the 1 and 2 November and at the Gardens.
Tickets may also be purchased online from Eventfinda before the weekend via this link:
Johnsonville Rotary extends heartfelt thanks to the Trustees of the estate of Patrick Pearse Feeney for their generous donation of $10,000 to Lifting the Lid, a local Rotary initiative dedicated to supporting student mental health in schools across the Wellington area including Johnsonville and Newlands.
At the club meeting held on 13th October, Trustees Adrian Douglas and Richard Joyce shared reflections on the life and legacy of Patrick Feeney, in whose honour the bequest was made.
Johnsonville Rotary Member Ellie Haydon meets and thanks Trustees Adrian Douglas and Richard Joyce
Patrick Feeney (known as Jack) was a son of Irish immigrants and born in 1937 and raised with pride in his heritage. A lifelong Johnsonville resident, Jack never married but was deeply involved in his community. He served in the New Zealand Army before pursuing a plumbing career, later becoming a Plumbing Inspector and Refuse Collections Manager for Wellington City Council. He retired as Building Manager at the Reserve Bank and also worked as a delivery driver. Jack dedicated nearly 30 years to the Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Brigade, joining in 1959 and serving as Officer in Charge from 1976 until his retirement in 1989, when he was named an Honorary Life Member. He was also a long-time member of the Johnsonville Club from 1967. Jack passed away peacefully at Malvina Major Rest Home, aged 86, and was laid to rest in the Roman Catholic Section of Makara Cemetery.
On 14th October new member Jesal Mehta gave his new member talk.
Jesal grew up in Mumbai, India and at an early age developed an interest in science and technology along with yearning for adventure. This led to a career at sea with the Merchant Navy in Indai. Later in his career he combined this with his interests in technology and developed a successful career in Marine Engineering. This led to career postings in Malaysia and most recently in New Zealand.
Jesal joined Johnsonville Rotary early in 2025 and is currentlly looking after Youth Programs
between 8:00am and 6pm on Saturday 17th May members and friends of Johnsonville Rotary will be volunteering to collect for Mary Potter outside New World Supermarket in Newlands. If you are visiting the supermarket please consider making a donation to support Mary Potter and their work. Donations can be made in cash or via EFTPOS. Thank you.
