The new form is available here. Tournament organisers are requested to complete the form and forward it to NZBridge following all official tournaments run by the Club.
Waikanae Bridge
Tournament Reporting
Duty Officers
The Club is currently short of volunteers to carry out the functions of Duty Officer as follows:
- Monday afternoons - August and November
- Tuesday evenings - October
- Thursday afternoons - October
If you can assist in filling any of these vacancies please contact Ann Verboeket.
The Duty Officer's responsibilities are set out below: Ann will ensure that any new volunteers have someone to guide them when they first start.
2026 Charity Tournament
This year's Waikanae/Paraparaumu Charity tournament took place on Sunday 28th June, in support of this year's charity, Kaibosh.
We were delighted to have 20 tables for the afternoon, with 17 pairs from Paraparaumu.
The competition winners were:
1st North/South and 1st overall - Graham Cheater and Jeanne Wardill
We were delighted to have 20 tables for the afternoon, with 17 pairs from Paraparaumu.
The competition winners were:
1st North/South and 1st overall - Graham Cheater and Jeanne Wardill
1st East/West and 2nd overall - Vicki Boffa and Rachel Patrick
The winner of the main raffle prize (a trailer load of firewood valued at $200) was won by Maureen Pratchett (who doesn’t own a woodburner!)
The "Baby Photo" competition (organised by Anne Ricketts) was won by Margaret Gordon.
Special thanks are due to:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the day - a worthy cause well supported and a fun afternoon of bridge.
The winner of the main raffle prize (a trailer load of firewood valued at $200) was won by Maureen Pratchett (who doesn’t own a woodburner!)
The "Baby Photo" competition (organised by Anne Ricketts) was won by Margaret Gordon.
Special thanks are due to:
- Margaret Gordon, who not only organised the event but also - almost single-handedly - ran the kitchen
- Anne Ricketts - Director
- Murray Lobb - Scorer
- Marg Gott - for running what was probably the best raffle in the club’s history
- Derek Snelling and Steve Ricketts - for running the bar
Thank you to everyone who participated in the day - a worthy cause well supported and a fun afternoon of bridge.
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| The raffle prizes (1st prize not included!) |
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| Congratulations to the winners |
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| Isobel speaking on behalf of Kaibosh |
Tip of the Month
For the past 10 months, we have been posting on the notice board a "Tip
of the Month" to explain
different parts of the bridge laws. These have also appeared in the monthly newsletter and on "Hugh's News".
We would like to hear from you - do you read these? do you find them useful? And mostly, do you have any ideas for a topic you would like to see explained? Please email secretary@waikanaebridge.nz with any comments both negative and positive.
This month's tip -
2026 Charity Tournament
This year's Waikanae/Paraparaumu Charity tournament will take place on Sunday 28th June.
This year's charity is Kaibosh.
Detailed information can be found below (also available on the noticeboard).
Waikanae players are asked to please bring a plate and an item for donation to Kaibosh (see below):
Team Selection
The following message is from Graham Cheater on behalf of the BAG:
The Bridge Advisory Group (BAG) is tasked by the Committee to select a team to represent the club in the Regional Club Championship and also the Quadrangular match where Waikanae compete against Otaki, Levin and Paraparaumu.
We have encouraged members to consider being part of the team in the forthcoming Regional Championship, 12th July. We received some interest but would have liked to see more.
For those members who wish to be considered for the Quadrangular match on 19th September BAG will be selecting 2 pairs from each main grade viz Open, Intermediate and Junior. To assist in the selection process BAG will look at current XG ratings but particular consideration will be made of current partnership results and most notably in this year's past tournaments and also forthcoming local tournaments (Charity Tournament 28th June, Waikanae Multigrade 2nd August and Novice/Junior Pairs 10th October).
Tournament Organisation
The document is available on the Club website here.
Recent Results
KHAP
In the latest round of the Kapiti Horowhenua Area Pairs, Lorraine Gaffaney and Vicky Young were 2nd (with 59.58%), Maureen Pratchett and Vivienne Cannell 3rd, Ady Dale and Marg Gott 4th, and Anthea Black and Naciye Bagci 6th.
Upper Hutt Multigrade Pairs - Sunday 14th June
Congratulations to Murray Lobb and Graeme Norman on their 2nd place finish, and also to John Donbavand and his partner who were 5th.
Karori Junior Pairs - Saturday 6th June
Many congratulations to Liesbet and Phil Gavey who won the event with a score of just under 62%, and also to Lori Dianne Fernando and her partner who were 2nd.
Membership Survey Results
A proportion of the feedback received was in the form of text responses: these are still being collated and will be the subject of a further report in due course.
Winter Health and Safety
As we move into Winter it's important that we all understand that as a group we are all to one extent or another vulnerable to the full range of seasonal illnesses. With the clubroom doors and windows mostly closed to keep us warm, our germs can spread quickly and easily, and lead to potentially serious consequences for all of us, particularly the older and more susceptible among our number - and our extended families.
I'm not talking here about those chronic non-infectious conditions which affect some of us; these deserve to be - and should be - treated with tolerance and sympathetic understanding.
IF YOU ARE UNWELL PLEASE DO NOT COME TO BRIDGE UNTIL YOU ARE SURE YOU ARE NOT INFECTIOUS.
If you do come when you are unwell, you are not letting your partner down (he or she can always find a replacement for you) - you are letting the whole club down: it's not fair on you and it's not fair on your friends at the club. They will not thank you for playing when you are ill - but they will thank you for staying away and protecting their health as well as your own.
On a separate note, the Committee asks all members to be considerate of those who suffer from allergies and try to avoid making things worse for them. Examples include the wearing of strong perfume or scents, the indiscriminate use of insect killing sprays, or bringing flowers.
Your co-operation will be appreciated.
Calling All Junior and Novice Players!
The new session will be held weekly on Friday evenings, commencing on Friday 14th August at 7.15pm. It will be combined with (but separate from) the existing Friday evening session, will use the same boards, and will be open to all junior and novice players.
Subject to demand, the session will run as a trial for up to 18 weeks until 4th December, and will feature 6 three week series, with players required to have different partners for each series. Recognising that - especially for our newer players - this will all be a new experience, there will be no need for juniors to play the same number of boards or at the same pace as the rest of the room. The minimum number of boards to qualify for C Points will be played, however, and C points will be awarded in accordance with normal practice.
Vivienne Cannell has kindly agreed to direct, at least initially. We very much hope that as many members as possible of this year's learners' class will choose to play and Vivienne will be able to guide those new players on play at a club session.
The Committee would like to emphasise that this new Friday session is additional to and not instead of the established afternoon sessions which attract many of the club's junior players. We hope that it will be of special interest to those junior players who for whatever reason are unable to attend those Monday and Thursday sessions.
If you are a Junior or Novice player and would like to play with others at the same level, please come along to these Friday evening sessions - we'd love to see you!
NZBridge AGM 2026
For those who are interested, the paperwork is available here.
Congress Results
Saturday 30th May
Vicki Boffa and Rachel Patrick were 2nd in the Intermediate Pairs. Karen Hutchins and Miriam Lewin placed 5th.
In the Open Pairs Graeme Norman and his partner finished 5th N/S and Murray Phillips and his partner were 12th N/S.
The team of Karen Hutchins, Miriam Lewin, Viv Gray and Craig Jackson (seen here in training)
Monday 1st June
Craig Jackson and Viv Gray won the Intermediate Swiss Pairs event.
Vicki Boffa and Rachel Patrick were 8th, and Karen Hutchins and Miriam Lewin 13th.
Sunday 31st May
finished 5th in the Intermediate Teams competition.
In the the Open Teams Qualifying Graeme Norman's team placed 3rd and Murray Phillips' team were 8th=.
Monday 1st June
Vicki Boffa and Rachel Patrick were 8th, and Karen Hutchins and Miriam Lewin 13th.
Graeme Norman's team were 3rd in the Open Teams Final.
Many congratulations to all concerned.
Detailed Session Results can be found on the Congress website here
Directing
Huge congratulations to Anne Ricketts, who has recently completed her Tournament Director qualification, a major achievement given that there are currently only 52 people with this qualification in the whole country.
Well done Anne!!!
Wellington Region Club Championships
The team for this event will be selected by BAG. If you would like to be considered for selection, please email Graham Cheater.
Interesting Article
The following article from the Scottish Herald (re-published on Facebook) may be of interest:
Wellington Bridge Club - "Lets Talk About It" Sessions
From the Wellington Bridge Club
Our winter Saturday afternoon Lets Talk About It Sessions are aimed at giving “Improver” players (about a year out of the lessons) an opportunity to learn from a more experienced player at the table.
Players from all over the region turn up to these sessions, and what they love most about them is the conversation about how to avoid basic mistakes, and how they can improve their game.
These sessions will start again on 6 June after Kings Birthday, and continue till the middle of August. The focus topics this year will be on play and defence. We teach the NZ Bridge material, so that our improvers learn a consistent approach to the topic: all the learners use the same simple systems, so they are not distracted by trying to remember too many different conventions or approaches with different partners.
Where: Wellington Bridge Club, 17 Tinakori Road (parking underneath).
When: Saturdays: 1 pm
Who: aimed at improvers >1 year playing bridge
Cost: $6 to members, $8 to non members (Eftpos only – no cash)
Learning and Development Article
I will let you know if/when it is published.
NZBridge International Coaching Programme
The notice below is for the information of those of our members who might be interested in the programme.
Waikanae Tournament 2026
A very enjoyable and successful Waikanae Tournament was held on Saturday 2nd May.
Play was preceded by a splendid "Pot Luck" lunch, at which we raised a glass to "Absent Friends". We also welcomed two visitors: our old friend Angela Gattsche (now living in Palmerston North) and Pat Reynolds' sister, Valerie.
- Rae Lutman, who organised and ran the event with her customary efficiency and skill, and
- Graham Cheater, who directed splendidly for the afternoon - with the occasional joke and generous quantities of chocolate handed out as spot prizes.
Thanks are also due to:
- the main sponsor of the event - Hobson Mills Law
- the raffle sponsors:
- Charlie Goodyer (Property Brokers)
- Relish Café
- Waikanae Butchery
- Viv Gray - for organising the decorations
- Maureen Pratchett - for scoring
- Kevin Walker - for organising the "interesting" hands
- Roz King - for managing the catering (assisted by Liz Campbell)
- Everyone who contributed food
- Fiona McDonald-Bates - for organising and running the raffle
- Chris Farrow and Steve Ricketts for running the bar
Special "shout out" and thanks to Pip Waldegrave for her heroic work in the kitchen.
Prizes
For the record -
The raffle winners were:
The third official prize was the 52% prize (because we are 52 years old), won by Shelley Ross and Ann Verboeket.
The unofficial chocolate prizes were -
Highest N/S score:
Sue Crichton and Jane McKegg - bidding and making 6H
Sue Crichton and Jane McKegg - bidding and making 6H
Highest score E/W:
Lori Dianne Fernando and Ryan Crowley, Lorraine Gaffaney and Linda Hair - bidding and making 7NT
Lori Dianne Fernando and Ryan Crowley, Lorraine Gaffaney and Linda Hair - bidding and making 7NT
The winners of the Best Novice Pair prize were Ashley Francis and Sandi Mason.
The overall winners of the event were Rae Lutman and Miriam Lewin:
Thank you to all who came and supported the event - I hope you enjoyed the day.
2026 Congress Accommodation - Palmerston North
AirBNB accommodation available in Palmerston North for the National Congress in November:
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| (advertisement published at the request of Angela Gattsche) |
Pink Ribbon Breakfast - Wednesday 20th May
In support of breast cancer research. Click on the graphic below for further information.
Another Learning Opportunity
What difference does vulnerability, value of tricks and how many tricks make? LOTS!
Maureen Pratchett will present a session on how bridge contracts are scored.
Knowing how different contracts are scored will help you make better decisions about which contract to be in, whether to double and whether to sacrifice.
She will try to keep the mathematics to a minimum.
All members are welcome, and you do not need to have attended any of Graham’s lessons. There is no charge for this extra lesson!
(Thanks to Rae Lutman for this item)
Club Clothing
T shirts, polos and hoodies
Margaret Gordon is currently taking orders for:
- hoodies (at a cost of $70)
- polo shirts (at a cost of $45), and
- T shirts (at a cost of $35)
all bearing the club logo as modelled in the photograph below.
If you would like to purchase one or more of these sought after items, please get in touch with Margaret to place your order.
NZBridge Online Lessons Update - May
NZBridge is once again offering online lessons on card playing techniques.
The lessons are for new players.
You can choose to attend Sunday, or Tuesday, or both for just $8.00.
Declarer Play in No Trump:
Sunday 10 May 4pm - 6pm and Tuesday 12 May 7pm - 9pm
Declarer Play in a Suit Contract:
Sunday 24 May 4pm - 6pm and Tuesday 26 May 7pm - 9pm
Registering is easy:
- Go to nzbridge.helloclub.com
- Put money in your account
- In Calendar, click on the lessons you want to attend
Participants receive a link to RealBridge prior to each lesson, followed by an email after the lesson with the learning material.
"Bridge Unleashed"
Here's a sample video:
There's also a website, which is available here.
"In Brief"
Digital Seniors
Housekeeping
Your assistance will be greatly appreciated in our ongoing efforts to reduce our power bill!
Life Master Award
Artwork
The artwork currently on display in the club room is by Mariliza Larkins, whose contact details are shown below:
Dealers
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| Today's dealing team hard at work (Photo: Rae Lutman) |
Waikanae/Paraparaumu Interclub
Shield updated (thanks to Chris Farrow).Annual Plan 2026
The purpose of this plan is to provide a framework to guide the Committee, and to inform the Club's members. It is important to note that it does not constrain the Committee from making whatever decisions it needs to take in the best interests of the club.
Progress against the Plan will be monitored by the Committee on a quarterly basis.
Complaints Policy
The Committee has approved a new Complaints Policy:
The policy is also available on the Club website here.
Waikanae Tournament
The Annual "Waikanae Tournament" is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday 2nd May. Sign on sheets are now available on the top table in the clubroom.
Details are as follows:
Improvers' Lessons
Graham Cheater has kindly offered a series of 3 Improvers' lessons for 2026. Please see the poster below for details.
Please note that these lessons are suitable for Juniors who have played for a few years and Intermediates.
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