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

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

2025 Christmas Function

Our very well-attended and enjoyable Christmas function took place on Thursday 11th December.

An online album of selected photos from the evening is available here (with thanks to Rae Lutman and Fiona McDonald-Bates).

For a list of the Premium Trophy winners please see separate post here.

Certificates were also presented to Murray Lobb and Craig Jackson, marking their success in the 2025 Wellington Region Junior League  - see separate post here.

Very many thanks to -

• Margaret Gordon for her overall organisation of the evening
• Roz King and the kitchen team (Vicky Young, Jo Anson, Steph Cheeseman, Anne Ricketts, Evita McGuire) for the delicious nibbles with pre-dinner drinks and a splendid meal
• Graham Cheater and Derek Snelling for running the bar
• Marg Gott for the cake/dessert
  
• Everyone who helped setting up the room and clearing up afterwards

Farewells

We say farewell and "haere rā" to the following long-term members:

• Michael Gaffaney

• Jennifer Hall

• Keith Naisbitt

• John Plimmer

• Adrienne Mandel

• Alice Stevenson

• Angela Gattsche

On your behalf, I would like to thank them all for everything they have done for the club and wish them well in the future.

2025 "Thank You's"

As what I believe has been a very successful year  draws to a close, I would like to thank those who have contributed so much of their time and expertise for the benefit of our club:

The Conveners:

• Dealing Convenor - Eileen Queree
• Directing Convenor - Graham Cheater
• Duty Officer Convenor/Flowers - Ann Verboeket
• Scoring Convenor - Chris Farrow
• Table Money Convenor - Sue Legat
• Tournament Convenor - Margaret Gordon/Anne Ricketts

 
The "Workers":

• Almoner - Sue Crichton
• Recorder - Graeme Norman
• Art works - Chris Carlyon
• Garden/Room hire - Steph Cheeseman
• IT Manager/tablets/programme book - Maureen Pratchett
• Learner Lessons - Adrienne Dale
• Maintenance - Viv Gray
• Website - Sally Weatherley, Judi Vernau and Shelley Ross
• Bar - Derek Snelling/Chris Farrow/Steve Ricketts/Richie Rama
• Kitchen Supplies /Recycling - Nicky Bradley
• Raffles - Fiona McDonald-Bates

 
The Bridge Advisory Group:

• Graham Cheater
• Graeme Norman
• Pryor Rowland
• Vicky Young

I would also like to offer my special personal thanks to the Committee for all their hard work, and in particular acknowledge Margaret Gordon and Rae Lutman, without both of whom we would quite simply not function in the way we do.

Thank you everyone.

2025 Premium Trophies

Monday Pairs Penny Ormerod Cup Margaret Gordon and Jim Gordon (not present) Tuesday Pairs: Open Doug McLeod Trophy  Derek Snelling & Pryor Rowland Intermediate Launder Cup Miriam Lewin & Karen Hutchins Junior Des Ellis Cup Viv Gray & Murray Lobb Thursday Pairs Celia Bowker Trophy Jeanne Wardill & Graham Cheater Friday Pairs Pat Sutton Trophy Naciye Bagci & Jeanne Wardill Most Grand Slams Agnes Richards Salver Adrienne Dale Most Improved Junior Joan Allard Trophy  Murray Lobb

Social Events Convener

The Committee is seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to act as Social Events Convener in 2026.  The role involves ensuring that an organiser is assigned to each event in our social calendar and that all arrangements are in place to make each event a success.

Events include:

• Monthly Monday afternoon teas
• Melbourne Cup Day
• St Patrick's Day
• Matariki
• Christmas function

If you're interested in volunteering for this role please get in touch.  

Learning and Development

At its meeting on 8th December, the Committee endorsed three proposed initiatives to enhance our learning and development programme:

• Saturday afternoon sessions with a short presentation, an experienced player playing at each table to provide advice and afternoon tea. This format has proved very popular at Wellington Club. This could be run through July and August.

• Short presentations prior to a bridge session. Topics such as scoring, reverses, leads etc where the concepts can be introduced reasonably quickly. They would probably be on Thursday afternoon once a month - players can bring their lunch - have the presentation and then play.

• Improvers lessons - as in previous years these lessons will be offered to meet demand.  Three sessions in April are initially proposed, with a possible second series later in the year. 

What we're looking for is one or more volunteers to act as conveners for these initiatives.  If you're interested, please let me know.

Tournament Convener 2026

The Committee is seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to act as Tournament Convener in 2026.  The role involves ensuring that an organiser is assigned to each event in our tournament schedule and that all arrangements are properly coordinated to ensure successful outcomes.

The events are:

15th February - Waikanae Open Pairs

2nd May - Waikanae May Social tournament

28th June - Waikanae/Paraparaumu Charity tournament

2nd August - Waikanae Multigrade Pairs

30th August - Waikanae Novice/Junior tournament

27th September - Waikanae Intermediate Pairs

1st November - Waikanae Junior Pairs

Previous experience in tournament organisation would be useful but is not essential.

If you're interested in volunteering for this role please get in touch. 

Job Opportunities

We would welcome some new Dealers and Scorers to join our rosters.

Scoring is done mainly at the start and end of a session.  For this job it is helpful if looking at a computer doesn't traumatise you but we will make sure you are given training and will then mentor you.

Dealing is mostly done on the weekend as part of a small team.  No computer skills are needed.

If you are interested in either of these roles please contact Chris Farrow to talk about Scoring and Eileen Queree to talk about Dealing - or click here.

Junior Open Matchmaking 2026

Some players have been asking for opportunities to play a series with an experienced player. In 2026 we will arrange for some open players to be available to play with interested less experienced players. We will not do this at our Monday sessions but of course Monday players are very welcome to sign up – but you will be asked to play on Thursday or Friday.

This is intended for players who have a good grasp of the basics of Acol and currently do not play with open players. If you are interested in being matched up with an open player for a series in 2026 there is a sheet on the table for you to put your name. Alternatively you can ring Helen Walker, her number is in the programme book.