Lower South Island
Welcome to Lions District 202F!
District 202F covers the stunning lower third of New Zealand’s South Island – from the unspoiled beauty of Stewart Island to the majestic mountains and lakes of Te Anau, Queenstown, and Wānaka; across the highlands of the Maniototo, down through Balclutha and the wild Catlins coastline.
We are home to 42 Lions clubs and more than 1,100 members, each serving their communities with passion and purpose. Our clubs range from small rural teams to vibrant city groups, with members of all ages. While some remain men’s or women’s clubs, more are becoming fully mixed, reflecting the diversity of our communities.
In Invercargill, we are proud to support two strong High School Leo Clubs, nurturing the next generation of leaders and volunteers.
Our service is as varied as our landscapes. Environmental projects include operating the Gore Pakeke cardboard recycling centre, building and maintaining bush walks and scenic areas, creating BBQ facilities and walking tracks, planting trees, and enhancing community spaces.
We also invest in community wellbeing – supporting Ronald McDonald House, Hospice Southland, and local St John services; sewing clothing for premature babies; assisting Invercargill’s neonatal unit; providing defibrillators and training; and even working together to clean the Hospice windows each month. Our members also help run Camp Quality in Queenstown for children living with cancer.
Youth development is at the heart of our mission, with initiatives such as Young Speechmaker, Computer Capers, Peace Poster competitions, and the Lions Borland Lodge Youth Leadership course. Many clubs fund scholarships or sponsor students to attend Spirit of Adventure voyages.
From catering at Cavalcades to working the gates at local shows and events, our members find countless ways to raise funds and give back – ensuring every dollar goes where it’s needed most: making a difference in our communities.
Together, in Lionism, WE SERVE.
Meet the DG...
District Governor Shona Cook
Theme: “Volunteering Together”
I feel very privileged and honoured to be leading the 202F district for the upcoming 2025-2026 Lions Year.
I live in Invercargill and work for Family Works as a Family/Whanau worker. Work have been very supportive of me as I have undertaken this journey to get to where I am now.
I am divorced and have two children and one daughter in law who all live in Invercargill. Both of my children are on the Autistic Spectrum. I also have an elderly Aunt who I support.
My theme for the year is ‘Volunteering together’ because I believe that is what we do best as Lions and it is when we are working together that we achieve so much and also it is when we are having fun and comradeship between us all is very important for Clubs.
My theme for the year is ‘Volunteering together’ because I believe that is what we do best as Lions and it is when we are working together that we achieve so much and also it is when we are having fun and comradeship between us all is very important for Clubs.
I have been in Lions for 16 years now and originally started in Invercargill South Lions and when they closed I moved to Invercargill Host but unfortunately they also decided to close and now I am a member of the Waihopai City Lions Club and I am really enjoying the energy in a club that is growing and thriving but also has a very diverse age range. Over the years I have had a number of different positions in the Invercargill South and Host Lions and I have been on Cabinet for 7 years.
When I am not busy with Lions I am a keen knitter, I enjoy reading and I enjoy spending time with my extended family. I am also an avid supporter of the Southern Steel Netball Team.
Mission 1.5 continues to be a big focus for us moving forward but as well as identifying areas in our District where Lions could and would make a big difference as well as focusing on Retention because when we lose members we lose all the experience and helping hands that they provided for our clubs and if we can keep our members engaged and happy then we are an organisation that will grow and move forward.
 District Governor Shona Cook |
Bulletin/Newsletter |
District Convention |
District Governor | Cabinet Secretary | Cabinet Treasurer |
Shona Cook T: (03) 217 3209 | 027 438 0679 E: 202f.dg@lionsclubs.org.nz Club: Waihopai City | PDG Liz Murray (Bruce) T: (03) 204 8396 | 027 222 1387 E: 202f.secretary@lionsclubs.org.nz Club: West Otago | Jo Wilson (Reg) T: (03) 249 6626 | 012 149 2465 E: 202f.treasurer@lionsclubs.org.nz Club: Te Anau Kepler |