Rotorua residents and supporters gathered at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside on Wednesday evening for the annual Rotorua Supper Club fundraiser, an event aiming to raise funds for family retreats. The evening began with drinks and an auction preview, setting the stage for a dinner held at various local restaurants, with all food generously donated by the participating venues.
A key attraction of the auction was a travel package donated by Deborah Kay, owner of helloworld Travel Rotorua. The prize offered the highest bidder a choice of three Oceania Cruises itineraries – Mediterranean, Scandinavia/Iceland, or Alaska – with a combined value exceeding $5,000 towards airfares. Kay emphasized the flexibility of the offering, noting potential travel dates in June and July of this year, or with conditions, in 2027.
“Oceania Cruises is known for its 5-star quality and ‘country club’ atmosphere,” Kay said, adding that the package includes 10 to 12 nights of travel, encompassing all meals, port taxes, fees, and tipping. The Mediterranean cruise explores Italy, Croatia, France, Spain, and Portugal, while the Scandinavia/Iceland option features destinations like Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki, with the possibility of an Iceland cruise focusing on waterfalls and glaciers. The Alaska itinerary promises views of the Inside Passage, glaciers, and wildlife.
Zhen Christiansen, co-owner of McDonald’s Fairy Springs and McDonald’s Te Ngae and a member of the Supper Club organizing committee, expressed excitement about the travel prize, anticipating strong public interest and increased fundraising for the retreats. In addition to the cruise auction, a raffle offering prize bundles valued at hundreds of dollars was also available, with tickets purchasable via QR code or order form on the Rotorua Supper Club Facebook page, or directly at the three McDonald’s locations in Rotorua.
This year’s raffle features 1,000 tickets priced at $25 each, with options to purchase four tickets for $100 or a book of ten for $250, offering 12 chances to win. The raffle will be drawn on March 12, with winners announced on March 13. Alongside the raffle and cruise auction, a live auction featuring over a dozen donated prizes was scheduled to take place at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside before attendees dispersed to their dinner destinations.
Among the live auction items was a tanzanite and diamond cluster ring valued at more than $10,000. Other prizes catered to sports enthusiasts, including a signed rugby jersey and group outings to Auckland Football Club matches. Tremains sales manager Murray Piesse is leading the live auction, marking his first time in the role after previously attending the event as a guest. The Hits announcer Paul Hickey is returning as the event’s master of ceremonies for the 13th consecutive year.
“This is a great cause, and I’m happy to support it,” Piesse told the Rotorua Daily Post. Hickey highlighted the event’s unique focus on supporting families across New Zealand, stating, “It’s pretty special to be part of.” The Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Hotel, situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua, served as the central location for the event, offering 4.5-star accommodations and access to geothermal spa facilities, according to information on the hotel’s website.
