The Awatere Club was founded by Gwen Firth on 22 October 1969 after she visited Auckland’s Aorangi Club with a friend and thought it would work well in the Waikato. She convened a meeting of like-minded women in her home who agreed the club’s purpose would be to bring together women with shared interests and a passion for community. 

A strong and diverse network of women was quickly established, and monthly meetings commenced in February 1970. It is a valued strength of the club that a number of these early members are still actively involved.

The name Awatere (flowing river) was chosen in honour of the Waikato River.

It was important to the founders that members represent as wide an age range as possible in order to mix wisdom with more youthful views and stimulate vigorous discussion in response to speakers’ presentations. Much of this vision still holds true today, 50 years later.

Auckland’s Aorangi Club is also still our Sister Club.

Gwen and Ted Firth were keen conservationists who, in 1977, donated a 5.2 hectare block of regenerating bush on their Pirongia farm – now known as the Firth Reserve – to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. You can read more about Gwen along with our current and past presidents and patrons on our website here.