Clubs: The Beating Hearts of our Communities

1 August 2025

Lucy Waterreus, CEO, Clubs New Zealand

This week I attended a Club Connect event at the Wairoa Club. It wasn't a huge crowd, but what struck me was the core group of people who turned up because they care deeply about their community and each other. It was a simple gathering, people talking about everything and nothing, sharing stories, or just simply quietly sitting in each other's company. And it reminded me, yet again, what clubs truly mean to the social fabric of New Zealand.

In a world where we are more "connected" than ever before, many of us have never felt more disconnected. Social media cannot replicate the warmth of a shared laugh, a knowing glance across the table, or the comfort of sitting with a mate in silence. Clubs offer that, a safe space where people come together, where everybody knows your name, and where a sense of belonging is real, not virtual.

This year alone, I’ve been privileged to attend some incredible club milestones. Levin Cosmopolitan Club celebrated 125 years, Johnsonville Club 75 years, Howick Club 40 years, and most recently Waikanae Chartered Club marked 50 years. At each celebration, I’ve been struck by just how deeply the club is woven into the lives of its members. Many have belonged for 50 years or more. They’ve gotten married at the club, celebrated birthdays and family reunions, and in some cases, farewelled their friends and loved ones there.

For me, clubs are personal too. My local club has rescued my family on more than one occasion, providing an affordable night out where my youngest enjoys the children's area, my older children play a few rounds of pool, and my husband and I can sit back, relax, and reconnect after a hectic day. It’s simple, it’s local, and it’s ours.

I’ve been involved in clubs for over two decades, and too often I hear clubs described as “old-fashioned”, “a shrine to the past”, “God’s waiting room”, or worse "no longer relevant". Nothing could be further from the truth. What I see every day are places where people feel connected, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Clubs are safe, welcoming environments where members look out for each other. They provide opportunities to volunteer, to join sub-clubs, and to participate in all sorts of activities. Many people don’t realise how diverse clubs are. If a group of members share a common interest, there’s usually a sub-club for it; fishing, darts, bowls, rugby, travel, wine, quilting, gardening, and more. These sub-clubs are where friendships are formed, and communities thrive.

But running a club in 2025 is not easy. Clubs are not-for-profit organisations; most are incorporated societies and cannot distribute profits to members. Every dollar earned goes back into maintaining and improving the club. Yet the costs of doing so are significant. One club I know pays more than $200,000 in annual rates alone. Add to that the cost of goods, wages, electricity, entertainment, compliance obligations, building WOFs, training, and licensing fees, and you can see the challenge.

In recent years, we have seen clubs close their doors for good as a result of the today's tough operating environment. When that happens, it isn’t just an association that shuts, a community loses a vital gathering space, a support network, and a part of its identity. In towns such as Raetihi, the club is often the last bastion of the community, and if we lose that club, the entire community will feel the impact. The sense of belonging, connection, and history that lives within those walls can never be replaced.

Despite these pressures, clubs continue to thrive in one crucial way, membership is growing. At the end of 2024, 292,000 people belonged to one of our member clubs, up from 279,000 the previous year. This growth tells us something powerful: perceptions are shifting and people are choosing clubs. They are increasingly being recognised for what they are, safe, affordable, and welcoming places where people can connect in meaningful ways.

So, my challenge to you is simple: if you haven’t been into your local club recently, go. Pop in for a meal, a chat, a game, or just a quiet drink. You might be surprised by what you find, a local gem where membership delivers exceptional value, and where you can be part of something that truly matters.

Because a club is not just a bar or a restaurant. It’s a beating heart, keeping communities alive, connected, and strong.

Clubs New Zealand Incorporated (Clubs New Zealand) is a not-for-profit, member led association representing more than 300 clubs around the country including Community Clubs, Cosmopolitan Clubs, Workingmen’s Club, Sports Clubs, and Returned Servicemen’s Associations (RSAs). To find out more visit www.clubsnz.org.nz