Rankings

In the national "Top 20" Player Rankings as at 31st December:

• John Donbavand ranked 7th in the Life Master category
• Anthea Black ranked 13th and Graham Cheater 20th in the Master category
• Murray Lobb ranked 14th in the Local Master category
• Shelley Ross ranked 2nd in the Club Master category

As of the same date Graeme Norman sits in 106th place in the updated All Time Masterpoints Earners list with 3250.82 points.

Murray Lobb, Craig Jackson, Viv Gray, Shelley Ross and Gillian van Raalte all graduated to Intermediate Grade as of 1st January.

Congratulations everybody - and especially to Shelley: a great result.

2026 Event Calendar

 

This is now also available on the Club website here.

Roadworks

Roadworks are scheduled to take place on Elizabeth Street from January 2026 to May 2026.

Details

The works are part of the Kāpiti Coast District Council's Speed Management Plan and are co-funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). The project is focused on safety improvements and creating a more accessible environment for all road users, with an estimated value of approximately NZ $1.5 million.

Key improvements include:

• Reconstruction of four existing zebra crossings into raised safety platforms.
• Conversion of one existing Kea crossing to a flush pedestrian zebra crossing.
• Construction of one new pedestrian crossing
• Footpath extensions and other safety improvements along Elizabeth Street.

There may be traffic delays on your way to and from the Club while this work is undertaken.

Notice of AGM and Nominations for 2026 Committee

As we close for the year, the last task for the Committee is to notify all members that the next Annual General Meeting will be held at 4.30pm on Monday 23rd February 2026 at the Club rooms.

Our Constitution requires the four longest serving members of the Committee to retire at the AGM and - if they so wish - to seek re-election. Those Committee members are Graham Cheater, Chris Farrow, Rae Lutman (Secretary) and Margaret Gordon (Treasurer). I'm sorry to report that Chris had decided that the time has come for him to stand down, but I'm pleased to say that Graham, Rae and Margaret have all agreed to seek re-election. 

Additionally, I regret to report that Helen Walker has resigned from the Committee.

Although replacements for both Chris and Helen have already been identified, the Constitution still requires the Committee to call for nominations to fill the positions which will technically become vacant. These nominations must be received by the Secretary by 19th January 2026. You may nominate yourself or (with their agreement) another member. No special form is required: an email to Rae at waikanaebridge@gmail.com is sufficient.

That's all from me for 2025, except to wish you a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2026.

I look forward to seeing you all back at the Club in the New Year.

Paraparaumu

I received the following message - which I've edited slightly - from Bob Jennings (President, Paraparaumu Bridge Club) on Sunday 14th December:

Hi Hugh,

All going well yesterday will have been our club's last use of your facilities to play Bridge and socialise. We had a very enjoyable afternoon.

We can't thank you enough for allowing us to carry on our session play very seamlessly and successfully.

Attached is a simple thank you notice on behalf of our club which I pinned under your "Club News".

Progress on our building continues to go well. Painters are working on the inside and once that is completed will move on to the outside. All going well we hope to re-carpet the floor early in the New Year following which we will hold an "grand" opening for members to attend.

We will present our trophies to this year's competition winners and also distribute the 2026 programme books.

Seasons Greetings and kind regards 

Bob

"In Brief"

Congratulations to Helen and Kevin Walker, who finished in 6th place (in a field of 45 pairs) in the Wellington Region Christmas Cheer event held at the Wellington Bridge Club on Saturday 13th December.  Murray Lobb and Craig Jackson were in 14th place.

2025 Prizes

 Congratulations to all our trophy and cup winners:

Thursday
                                                                                               
Mary Fairey Trophy - Sue Legat
Ilca Evans Trophy - Jo Anson & Maureen Pratchett 
Glory Wilson Trophy - Vicky Young & John Donbavand
Ferrier Trophy - Murray Lobb & John Donbavand

Friday

Agnes Richards Cup - Jeanne Wardill & Isobel Ross
Bob Reid Cup - John Donbavand & Kevin Walker
John Mautner Trophy - Angela Gattsche & Pryor Rowland

Monday

Norma Bridges Trophy - Di Andrews
Joan Welsh Cup - Ann Verboeket & Liesbet Gavey
Kay Wallis Trophy - Di Andrews & Nina Netherclift
Beverley Ferrier Trophy - Ernie Davis (not shown)

Tuesday

Harry Fairey Trophy - Graham Cheater & Derek Snelling
B L Jones Trophy - Graham Cheater
Algie Trophy - Lorraine Gaffaney & Eileen Queree
Ord Trophy - Eileen Queree