Uniting for Good - with NKMP for the 2026 Book Sale
The 45th Annual Book Sale was held at Scottish Hall over three busy days, from Thursday 29 May to Saturday 31 May 2026. The event has become more than a fundraiser connecting members, volunteers, partner organisations and the wider public with Rotary.
The major recipient of the 2026 proceeds is Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust (NKMP).
Tracey Wright Tāwha, CEO of Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust, Joanne White, Finance & Social Enterprises Manager, pictured above with President Michael and Richard, joined us along with Nicci Fowler, Communications, Media & Marketing Manager and SOAR Manager at our Book Sorting lunch, on Tuesday.
Tracey spoke of how humbled she was to learn that the Trust had been selected as the major recipient of this year’s proceeds. Throughout the three days of the Book Sale, members of the Ngā Kete team worked alongside Rotary volunteers and were available to share information about the organisation’s programmes and services.
Once again a delicious lunch was catered by Inner Wheel, with leftovers staying at the hall for volunteers through the weekend. This traditional Tuesday lunch provides the opportunity to reconnect and support them as a Group for their service work in our Community.
A good crowd was waiting when the doors opened at 8.00 a.m. on Thursday morning, and there was a steady stream of visitors through Scottish Hall across all three days.
While thousands of books found new homes, hundreds of caps from a special collection donated by a local family also contributed to this year’s proceeds.
Sincere thanks go to the members and families who assisted with the mammoth task of the pack-down.
Once again, our partnership with Demons Softball Club proved invaluable in helping transfer the remaining books back to the storage container.
Following the sale, a number of community organisations also received books, including the Department of Corrections for the Invercargill Prison Library, Lilliput Libraries, and Wat Buddha Samakhee Invercargill Buddhist Temple at Lorneville.
Final proceeds are yet to be confirmed, as costs are still being received and reconciled over the coming weeks.
Once the final proceeds have been confirmed, arrangements will be made for the presentation of the donation to Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust. Funds raised through the Book Sale will directly support Ngā Kete’s programmes and services, helping the organisation continue to strengthen its support for our community.
Book Sale Committee Chair Richard Russell extends sincere thanks to all members, volunteers, families, partner organisations and supporters whose generous contribution of time and energy once again helped make this important community event possible.
Conversations and reflections on the 2026 Book Sale event are expected to progress into discussions for 46th Book Sale in the coming weeks.
We would love to have more photos of all the members, members family & other volunteers who helped out with this year's sale.
If you have any photos from the Book Sale you would like to share please email to lmfkjs@xtra.co.nz