My Club, My Crew

Baz Taniwha didn’t expect to become a regular at the Porirua Club, but ten years on, he’s still walking through the doors every afternoon after work to finish off paperwork with a cold beer and a chat.  

“There are many reasons to join any club, but for me the PC always offers a soothing, calm safe environment. My club is where I can unwind and purge any work-related stress which may have arisen through the day. I don’t like to take that negative stuff home.”

 Baz moved to Porirua from Newtown in Wellington 15 years ago and was curious about the local social and entertainment scene.

“There weren’t any clubs like the Porirua Club in Wellington city itself, so I didn’t know much about them” he says. “One day we heard an ad for the PC on the radio and my wife commented how great it used to be, she had previously been a member years before I had met her. We decided to visit on the open weekend Sunday, and we were immediately welcomed by friendly faces and made to feel very comfortable and welcome.”

That first visit introduced Baz to ‘Sunday Fun days’ and his now close friend and ‘live life positively example’ John Rowe, the club president and a legend in the Clubs scene.

“John is the longest serving President in the history of The Porirua Club. He has this energy; you can tell how much he loves the club. It rubbed off on me. That’s what club spirit does to a person.”

Baz’s wife Penny now works at the PC behind the bar, and he jokes that his favourite spot is sitting at a table directly in front of the bar watching her work while he’s enjoying his pint.

“I’m here most days after work, as are a lot of other very loyal members,” he says. “It’s where I can relax and unwind from my day, where I can connect and interact with other like-minded members.”

Whether it’s clearing empties from tables or mopping up a drink spillage on a busy club night when the club’s amazing staff are crazy busy, Baz is always ready to help where needed.

“You just need people who care about the club, it’s members and staff, but also its future and direction.”

He’s part of the horse racing punting adjunct, though he admits he’s terrible at picking winners, so leaves it up to those who know what they’re doing.

“Penny and I joined because we liked the different characters and hilarious personalities that were already well established. You’ve got your quiet studious types, your boisterous and cheeky scallywags, and then the ones who scream and yell at the TV during a race, shouting and willing their horse to run faster and hopefully win the race, it’s hilariously brilliant.”

However, it is outdoor cricket where Baz’s club pride really shines.

“When I joined the PC cricket adjunct there was only one social team. Just a bunch of guys who liked to play a bit of cricket, then enjoy a beer or two after the game. Other cricket clubs and teams in our grade saw us as two points in the bag, not regarding us as a competitive team or group.  Then younger PC members joined and wanted to do better and be challenged, so we got ourselves properly organised and changed the whole culture of the PC cricket team. We now have five teams playing various formats of cricket.”

The younger members of the Porirua Club are driving the PC Cricket adjunct successfully. They now have various playing kit to choose from for games and lots of club and team clothing merchandise to purchase at reception.

“I’m very happy to report that our reputation and credibility as a worthy and competitive playing group has rightfully been restored and positively enhanced,” laughs Baz.

Baz also recently represented New Zealand in Dragon boat racing at the 17^th World Dragon Boat Championships, held in Berlin, Germany. The NZ team as a whole competed exceptionally well bringing home four golds, seven silvers, and one bronze from the various categories they competed in. He has now set his sights on bringing dragon boating to the various clubs around Wellington and eventually, the rest of the country.

“I can just imagine how great it would be! I love dragon boating racing and I think our club members would enjoy being out on the water and being part of it. It’s the ultimate team sport for bonding and oneness,” says Baz.

How can you get involved in your local club? Baz says it is simple…

“Come in and have a look around, especially on a club night or activity day. You won’t know until you come through the doors. There are so many different social and sporting  adjuncts and sub groups for everyone to get involved with. You have to let the club absorb and embrace you. The club will definitely attach itself to you. My club is just the nicest, safest and  friendliest environment you’ll find anywhere.”