The Awatere Club was founded by Gwen Firth on 5 November 1969, after she had visited Auckland’s Aorangi Club with her friend and thought it would work well in the Waikato. She convened a meeting of like-minded women in her home, and it was agreed that the purpose of the club would be to bring together women with shared interests and passion for community. 

A strong and diverse network of women was quickly established, and it is a valued strength of the club that a number of these foundation members are still active members.

She selected the name Awatere in honour of the Waikato River.

Gwen and Ted Firth were keen conservationists.  In 1977 they donated a 5.2 hectare block of regenerating bush on their Pirongia farm to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, now known as the Firth Reserve.

It was important to her 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 hold true today, 50 years later.

We have a Sister Club: Auckland’s Aorangi Club