District 202E
Upper South Island & West Coast
Lions District 202E welcomes you to our district webpage
District 202E covers 48% of the geographical area of the top of the South Island. From the sandy beaches of Golden Bay, across the fertile Waimea Plains and over the Richmond Ranges to the port of Picton and the vast vineyards of Marlborough, the District extends down the East Coast via the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura and rural North Canterbury to the garden city of Christchurch and the Canterbury hinterland as far south as the Rakaia River. On the West Coast the District extends down through Greymouth, Hokitika and the unique rainforests to Haast in South Westland.
Our District’s clubs are autonomous with their size and composition being wide ranging and diverse. The majority are now mixed clubs with each club having an individual identity reflecting the type of community in which it is located - rural areas, regional towns or the spreading suburban areas of Christchurch city.
As well as our key global causes of Hunger, Vision, Environment, Childhood Cancer and Diabetes, our clubs have a proud history of working on projects and providing service that supports their community’s unique needs. Lions Clubs are well respected with many clubs working in partnership with their local governing bodies and other voluntary groups and charities.
District 202E is excited to have initiated the formation of the New Zealand Motorhoming Lions Club. We warmly welcome people who enjoy the motorhoming lifestyle and who would also like to join Lions. You too can help make a positive difference to the environments and towns you visit by joining in with projects in that area or completing your own service in causes you are passionate about. The reputation of the organisation of Lions opens many doorways for you. Contact the District Governor for more information.
We extend a warm welcome to like-minded people who wish to join us and help make a positive difference to the lives of others in our communities as together in Lionism WE SERVE.
202E Meeting Dates (to be advised)
District Governor - Alastair Thomas Rankin
Theme:- Stronger Communities Through Volunteering
I was born in Rugby, England 4 March 1950 and emigrated to NZ in 1952 We lived at Woodbourne and Blenheim during my boyhood, and I attended Renwicktown School, Blenheim Borough School, Bohally Intermediate and Marlborough Boys College. I joined the Army in January 1967 and became a Radio and Telegraph operator.
I served in many NZ camps and bases as well as NZ Forces Southeast Asia in Singapore, the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai and I spent a year posted to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre as the Senior Adviser for Operations and Training. I served in both the Regular Force and the Territorial Force.
I joined the Waiouru Lions Club in late 1984 and transferred to the Lions Club of New Brighton in early 1985 rose up to be President and Zone Chairman looking after 7 clubs in Christchurch.
In 2000 I moved to Wellington and transferred to The Newlands Lions Club and became President as well as Zone Chairman with 6 clubs in Wellington, then I moved to Whitby and transferred to the Whitby Lions Club, but while I was in Cambodia both clubs closed down and I was left without a club to come home to so I had to quit Lions.
In 2009 I moved back to Christchurch and subsequently re-joined the Lions Club of New Brighton where I once again accepted the role of President and also Zone Chairman with 5 clubs to look after.
I accepted the position of 2nd Vice District Governor for Lions District 202E in 2024.
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