The pub's themed nights have raised more than $10,000 for local community groups.
The pub's themed nights have raised more than $10,000 for local community groups.
What started as an idea to show a pub could be more than a place to drink and unwind has turned into a community fundraising success.
Russell’s Nauti Penguin has raised more than $10,000 for local groups since starting its Pints for Purpose nights.
On selected nights, the NautiPenguin hosts themed nights, usually to match with the selected beneficiary, to raise funds.
The initiative was launched two years ago and since then has hosted themed events to support groups including Russell Radio, the local fire brigade, youth sailing programme, a new daycare project and the Russell Community Medical Trust.
Each event combines entertainment with fundraising. Guests pay a $10 door fee that goes directly to the chosen organisation, while raffle sales and cocktail specials also contribute, with the pub donating $3 from every featured drink sold.
Victoria Alexander, the events’ organiser and Nauti Penguin general manager, said the idea came from a desire to strengthen ties with the small community.
“We’ve always believed hospitality is about more than just what’s on tap, it’s about creating a place where community shows up for each other. Pints for Purpose is just the beginning. We want to keep building on it, keep giving back, and hopefully inspire other pubs and businesses around New Zealand to realise they can turn everyday trade into meaningful change too.”
The Nauti Penguin's general manager Victoria Alexander said the initiative has been well received.
She said giving back had always been part of her upbringing and she wanted to create something that encouraged locals, especially younger residents to support causes close to home. They have raised $10,465, something Alexander said exceeded her expectations.
“When I wrote the idea down, I never imagined we would raise over $10,000. It has been amazing to see what a small town can do together.”
Beyond the money raised, she said the initiative has strengthened community connections and changed how some residents view the venue.
She said the events were typically held outside of the tourist peak season, allowing locals to take centre stage, rather than visitors.
Following the success of the events, planning is already underway for a third round with a new long-term project called Good Pour, which will donate a portion of selected cocktail and mocktail sales to local causes year-round, a shift she hopes will make the fundraising more accessible.
“Not everyone can make it on specific nights. This way people can still contribute by just coming in.”
The events have made an impact in Russel and the medical trust “reached out again asking if we could support them again”, she said.
“So it has definitely had an impact and I think it’s definitely won the hearts in Russell and we want to be able to continue to support the community.”
Russell Community Medical Trust chairman Chris Tant said they are grateful for any contribution to the work they do in the community.
“We are very appreciative of all community support, donations and initiatives like the one by the Nauti Penguin. We have to fundraise a lot for our activities, so something like that is a small part but we very much appreciate community initiatives like this that help to raise awareness of the work we do in the community.”
