Rotary Friendship Exchange Information
ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGES
Rotary Friendship Exchange is an activity of Rotary International, enabling Rotarians and their families to take part in reciprocal visits and home stays with Rotarians and their families in other countries.
The purpose is to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through personal experiences across national boundaries.
There are two types of exchange club to club, and district to district. Both programmes are co-ordinated by the District Friendship Exchange Committee at no expense to Rotary International.
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE EXCHANGE PARTNERS
District 9999 has 61 Rotary Clubs with 2000 members. D9999 covers the South Island of New Zealand. The Island is 58084.05 Sq Miles with a population of around 1 million.
From the North of the South Island to the South of the South, the scenery is diverse and the landscape rugged.Other district scenic highlights are: New Zealand's highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook, 3754 metres high, towering in the Southern Alps; the magnificent Milford Sound; the natural splendour of Queenstown, and the dramatic landscapes of Central Otago and the Mackenzie Country. We have the untouched, green and rugged West Coast and the Sounds and bays of Nelson/Tasman region.
Coastal areas are home to various species of penguins (little blue, the world's smallest, and the rare yellow-eyed penguin) Dunedin is home to the only mainland royal northern albatross breeding colony. These albatross have up to a 3 metre wingspan. Rare prehistoric tuataras can be viewed in captivity at a breeding programme at the Southland Museum. Just a 20-minute scenic flight from Invercargill lies a 160,000 hectare island; Stewart Island. It is almost entirely covered in native bush and is a haven for native birdlife. 
The region offers a wide diversity of other features including glow worm caves at Te Anau, a petrified forest at Curio Bay, Maori rock drawings, once vibrant gold field townships and several National Parks including Fiordland (New Zealand's largest national park, which extends from high mountains right down to remote and rugged coastlines), Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring.
A district visit is usually 10 - 12 days. Touring groups of a maximum of 11 people will travel by van and at times private vehicle. Visitors are home-hosted by local Rotary Club members. An exchange will involve sightseeing, Rotary Club meetings and activities, good food and fellowship.
ARRANGING EXCHANGES
If you're interested in arranging a Friendship Exchange with District9999 contact:
Irene Mosley QSM. Email: rotarydistrict9999rfe@xtra.co.nz