Rotorua's Dutch celebrate their club

Marinus Koppe was MC for the Rotorua Netherlands Society 50th anniversary held at the clubrooms yesterday. Photo / Stephen Parker

A crowd of around 100 gathered at the Rotorua Netherlands Society clubrooms yesterday to celebrate 50 years since it was established.

Society president Anneke Meerkerk said she moved to Rotorua from the Netherlands 43 years ago and had been involved with the club for more than 25 years.

"I've been president for the past two years. This building [at Neil Hunt Park] opened in 1986 but the club started 50 years ago. At the moment we have around 100 members but it seems to be the older generation.

"A lot of our members are very old, over the age of 80. It is very hard to get the second generation to become members. People are too busy these days," she said.

"When the club started, people had come from Holland and needed somewhere to be together but nowadays with social media it is totally different. It's quieter. But our market days are always a big hit. We have one every two months on a Saturday here at the club and people love to come along to buy all the Dutch food."

Among the guests were Rotorua MP Todd McClay and mayor Steve Chadwick.

Mrs Chadwick said it was astonishing to know that the Netherlands Society had been active within the Rotorua community for five decades.

"They have contributed so much to our community. They're hard working and practical and have a great sense of community. Fellowships are a very important thing for them so it's lovely to be here today with them to celebrate their 50 years here in Rotorua."

Mr McClay said he was privileged to be part of it.

"When I first became a member of parliament seven years ago I spent a lot of time with the Dutch community. Fifty years is certainly something to celebrate, so I've come to show my respect and also to thank them for the effort they put in to the work they do around the community on an annual basis here in Rotorua."

• To find out more about the Netherlands Society and its market days call Anneke Meerkerk on (07) 357 4273.