NEW ZEALAND FRIENDSHIP

EXCHANGE VISIT 2008

As soon as anyone joins Rotary they soon become aware that we are a many-faceted world-wide

organisation. Rotary is involved in many humanitarian projects such as the eradication of polio throughout the world, Shelterboxes for emergency relief and the smaller projects between Rotary Clubs which pair up across the world. But we also embark on friendship Exchange visits to Rotarians in other parts of the world, for fun and fellowship. This is what Rotary International says about "Rotary Friendship Exchange".

"This is Rotary's international exchange program for Rotarians and their families. Participants

experience other cultures and build friendships by staying in the homes of Rotary club members in another country. This program advances international understanding and peace through personal contact across borders. This often develops interclub relationships that lead to fellowship and service projects".

Three of our members, and partners in a group from our District 1240 visited District 9930 in North Island New Zealand. The group hired a mini-bus and visited 5 Rotary Clubs for three nights each from 1 - 16 November 2008. Home hospitality was given at each stop and each club organised a

programme of sightseeing and fellowship. Everyone agreed that this is undoubtedly the best way to visit a country. We get to see the sights and also spend time with like minded people to enjoy the friendship and fellowship that all Rotarians offer.

Everyone made their own way to Auckland where we met our NZ organiser on the first day. He had brought our mini-bus for use on the visit and off we went to our first port of call to Hamilton. We spent three days there visiting the Ruakuri Cave - quite an experience before going to the Otorahanga Kiwi House, Gallaghers factory (world leader in electric fencing) and the Cambridge Stud.

It is always expected that visitors attend the Rotary meetings and make a presentation about their home area. The Hamilton Rotary Club Meeting was changed from lunch time to evening to accommodate us, where we did our first presentation.

We then went on to Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty where we took a fascinating coastal walk and also saw a Rotary milking parlour, certainly the latest thing for the dairy industry.

Our next destination was Taupo where we saw the beautiful Huka Falls, visited a prawn farm and had lunch at a glass factory. We had a great party with Taupo Rotarians as this coincided with the

country's General Election. Next day was the most energetic day of the trip. It started with most of the team going on the Jet Boat Ride on the Aratiatia Rapids. Then one of our group namely Past District Governor Brian Piccolo did a Bungy Jump. He was the only one! He just couldn't persuade any others to go with him. I don't know why! The next day was Sunday and a free day spent mainly boating on Lake Taupo or relaxing in the hot springs.

We next went to Napier, to stay with Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Greenmeadows. The Area is famous for its Art Deco architecture in Napier and for the Hawks Bay wineries. We sampled both!. We also took an interesting tour of a Sheepskin factory, drove to the Mata Peak where we had

spectacular views and then lunch at the the Clearview Estate Winery. The evening was spent at The Greenmeadows Rotary Club.

Some then went to the set of where "The Hobbit" was filmed. We were taken to the Rotorua

Agrodrome where we saw numerous breeds of sheep performing and sheep shearing and milking. Onto the Rainbow Springs Park (a Maori Village) for lunch and a tour of the trout and bird sanctuary. A free afternoon when some of us took a ride on the cable car and enjoyed spectacular views over Roturua and other visited the Te Puia geysers

Others took a ride on a giant swing travelling at 150 km per hour. In the evening we were taken back to the Rainbow Springs for a Maori show and a traditional Maori Dinner.

The Rotary Friendship Exchange is an experience not to be missed and another reason why being a member of the Rotary International is such a fulfilling and fun activity.

In case anyone thinks this was a freebie and a jolly, it was jolly, but most certainly not a freebie!. We paid for the hire of the mini-bus, and for all the activities we took part in. Home hospitality was

generously given by the host Rotarians, which we will reciprocate when the District 9930 New

Zealanders come to visit us in July 2010.

I think everyone who took part will agree that the friendships and experiences made it all very worth while!