President 2025/26: Murray Gillespie
Secretary 2025/26: Jan Northrop
Club Website: http//www.rotaryngamotu.club
Apologies for dinner meetings by 12.00 Noon day of meeting
to Jan Northrop:email: jan.northrop@yahoo.com
We welcomed guests Trish Betts, Taylor Fulton and Marie Brown to the meeting, along with Social Member Kathryn Gillespie.
Guest Speaker Police Sgt Graeme Jones was introduced by Gaylene Lines, herself an active Community Police member.
Graeme has been in the Police force for some 26 years, serving in several different units and areas. He is currently heading up the new Back to Basics unit which has as its remit reducing retail crime and anti social behaviour in the New Plymouth CBD providing reassurance to the public and retailers and improving the perception of safety by the presence of his team.
The team is working on reducing the isolation and the feeling of lack of safety among the retailers, encouraging them to form groups and connect with each other, forming networks for communication. They are also tackling the under reporting of retail crime - currently around 41% goes unreported as the perception is it is too small and /or the police can’t do anything. The aim is to return the CBD to the community so no one feels scared or intimidated. This has of course also involved interaction with the street people though the majority of them have not committed any crimes.
The project is currently a trial for 6 months. There is no extra funding for the three staff currently involved but the response from the public has been amazing supportive and appreciative of seeing cops actually on the beat.
As well as helping break the cycle of crime - some 64% of crime is committed by 10% of people- the team is carrying out positive discussions with the general public, retailers and the rough sleepers. They are working on advising retailers how to make their establishments safer,suggesting changes in layout, lighting and cameras for example.
The trial will last 6 months, ending on 1 February 2026 and we hope Graeme might return to give us an update its successes in our community.
He was thanked by Gaylene.
President Murray conducted a typically ruthless Fines session.
Three Minute Speaker was Gary Brown
who spoke about the challenges and achievements during his years as an Advocate for Tongariro. These included the development of the walkway there and sponsoring research which offered a solution to the marked decline in fishing stocks in Taupo which were threatening the local economy.
David Brownson showed the commemorative plaque which will put in place at Destination Kawaroa prior to the official opening on 15 August.
Sally Morch explained the revised planting schedule which will now involve Marfell School all day Thursday.
Club Business;
President Murray said MS Society are looking for help with street collections on 19 and 20 September.
Jan Northrop update on the Quiz Night (15 September). Details will be emailed to all members and she asked they forward them to any potentially interested parties. We will contact ex members and other Clubs through ClubRunner.
Des Friedrich proposed employing outside help to deal with financial matters as the Trust does already.
A General Meeting will be called for 22 September to approve adoption of the new Constitution and matters arising from that.
Next meeting will be a Business Meeting on 25 August where the main discussion will be around Membership and possible solutions. Terry Hancock will also be present to inform us of help we can provide for On The House (supply of recycled food to the community)
