Rotary Matamata has always strongly supported our town's youth providing many opportunities for individual development. However, Matamata’s young people, and their parents, are frequently not aware of what is available. So here, we provide a one-stop shop of what is on offer. Please click the links provided for more information or contact us if you would like to know more.
The details here are correct at time of publication.
Please check District website links for current dates information
1. Interact
Interact stands for ‘International Action’ and is a Rotary service organisation for 12-18 year olds. Matamata College has an active Interact club. Membership is open to all students and meetings are held each month at lunchtime. Leadership is provided by the Interact Board under the guidance of Rotary Matamata. Interact aims to undertake projects each year that benefit both the local community and those in developing countries. See our Facebook page
2. Rotary Australia New Zealand Exchange (RANZE)
To apply: Contact your local Rotary club. Closing date is in June for exchange the following year
RANZE is a three-month each way matched exchange for people aged 13.5 to 16 years on the 1st January of the participating year.
The exchange covers two school terms. New Zealand students travel to Australia for one term and will host their Australian matched student in the second term.
RANZSE differs from most youth exchange in that the student stays with the matched family in the other country with the support of the RANZSE committee and local Rotary clubs in each country.
You can find more information here or contact us at Rotary Matamata
3. Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN)
Course date: Usually May of each year
Venue: Lakewood Lodge, Rangiriri (near Huntly)
To apply: contact your Year 10 dean
RYPEN is a fun residential weekend for 14-16 year olds in year 10. Students participate in a range of outdoor activities designed to build their self-worth. They will; develop friendships and connections, listen to inspirational guest speakers, and learn to use this developed self-belief constructively. RYPEN is aimed at Year 10 students who have shown qualities of decency, courage, persistence, sincerity, leadership and application in everyday life, deserving of further development and guidance. It is not aimed at highly sporty or high achieving students. For more information click here
4. Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)
Duration: one academic year commencing January or July
To apply: Contact your local Rotary club by February of year prior to exchange
RYE provides senior secondary school students with an opportunity to participate in family, cultural and community life in another country over a twelve-month period while attending a secondary school in that country.
Outward bound students must be aged at least 16 and under 18 as at 15 January in the year of departure. They must have completed at least year 11 with above average NCEA results and have been born in NZ or hold a Permanent Residency Permit. Applicants must be fit, with no serious medical conditions. Please see here and here for more information.
5. Outward Bound:
Outward Bound, located in the Marlborough Sounds, is designed to help young people reach their full potential through challenge in the outdoors. The classroom is the mountains, bush and waterways of this beautiful corner of New Zealand. Please see here for details for the current year:
a. Outward Bound: Classic Course
Course dates: Varies
Venue: Marlborough Sounds
To apply: Contact your local Rotary club
There is no longer a specific course or funding application period for Classic Courses. Applicants details from young adults, should be emailed to the District Coordinator by your local Rotary club with a statement about how much money you and/or your supporting Rotary club has raised.
b. Outward Bound: Mind, Body and Soul
Course dates: July school holidays
Venue: Marlborough Sounds
To apply: Contact your local Rotary club
Two District scholarships are usually available for this three-week course which is limited to students aged 16-18 who are still at school. The scholarship funds most of the course which is held July during the school holidays. Applications should be made to your local Rotary club, usually by March but please check.
6. Summer Science School: The Rotary National Science and Technology Forum
Course dates: January each year
Venue: O’Rourke Hall, The University of Auckland
To apply: contact your local Rotary club
Presented by The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Massey University (Albany), RMIT University (Melbourne) this forum offers an advanced academic programme with experiences in a wide range of scientific disciplines to outstanding Year 12 students, who plan to study science at Year 13. The forum is held at O’Rourke Hall, The University of Auckland for the last two weeks of January.
For more information see https://rotarysciencetechforum.wordpress.com/about/ and https://www.facebook.com/rotarynzsci.techforum/
7. Walsh Flying School
Course date: January each year
Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School is an annual Scouts NZ programme that provides the highest quality aviation training in the country for budding young pilots. The two-week course, held in Matamata Aerodrome, starts at the very basics of learning to fly. Applications accepted late June to mid-August. See here for more details.
The cost is $1900 for first year Venturer and Ranger students or $575 for returning students. The fee for first year non-Venturer/non-Ranger students is $2200.
Rotary Matamata offers an annual Stan Rowe Memorial Scholarship of $500 towards the cost of the flying school to a successful applicant from the Matamata area.
8. Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP)
Duration: One U.S. academic year
Venue: Georgia U.S.A.
Please note APPLICANTS MUST FOLLOW THE PROCESS FOR OUR DISTRICT outlined here. Closing date for application: 1 October of year prior to departure
Since 1946, Rotarians in Georgia, USA, have promoted world peace through understanding by offering multiple scholarships to international students for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities. Georgia Rotary clubs sponsor students recommended by a Rotary club in their home country. The students become adopted members of a Georgia host family, living on-campus at the school they attend. Applicants should be 18 years but not 25 years of age by 1st August of the year studies begin. The GRSP provides:
- a full scholarship, from August to May, for study in colleges and universities in the state of Georgia
- the costs of tuition, books, meals, and accommodation in a university hostel
- a host family for the duration of the scholarship
You can read more about the programme here .
9. Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
Course date: late April
Venue: Epworth Recreation Centre, on Lake Karapiro
To apply: complete form available here and email to your local Rotary club
Participants, aged 20-26 years old are selected by their local Rotary club and sponsored to attend the course by their club and/or their employer. Over one week they have the opportunity to grow and develop their leadership skills as part of a cohort of emerging leaders, expanding their network of Rotarian contacts and meeting a range of prominent local leaders. The programme is designed in conjunction with the Institute of Professional Learning: Te Whai Toi Tangata, based in the Faculty of Education at the University of Waikato and is run by a committed group of Rotarians and University staff members.
Details on Rotary International’s global youth programmes can be found here |
Summary by age
Programme | Age | Duration | Location | Closing date |
Interact | 12-18 years | Continuous | Matamata College | Anytime |
Rotary Australia New Zealand Exchange (RANZE) | 13½ - 16 years on 1 January | 3 months away, 3 months hosting | Australia | 30 June for exchanges the following year |
Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment (RYPEN) | 14-16 years (Year 10) | A weekend camp, usually late May, for enthusiastic, community-minded young people | Rangiriri near Huntly | TBC |
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) | 16 or 17 years on 15 January of year exchange commences | 1 year | Any other country | Usually early March |
Outward Bound: Mind, Body and Soul | 16-18 years, still at school | 3 weeks in July | Marlborough Sounds | Usually end of February |
Summer Science School | Year 12-13 students | 2 weeks in January | The University of Auckland | From year 12 students by mid-August |
Walsh Flying School | 16-19 years | 2 weeks in January | Matamata | Mid-August |
Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) | 18-24 years on 1 August of year studies commence | One US academic year (September to June) | Georgia, USA | Applications accepted 1 June – 1 October |
Outward Bound: Classic Course | 18-26 years and completed secondary schooling | 3 weeks | Marlborough Sounds | At any time |
Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) | 20-26 years | 1 week in | Karapiro | Late February |