About NZ Rally

NZ Rally is an international organisation that began in New Zealand. It is a club for ALL boys and girls aged between 7-16 years.

Rallys are connected with local Churches and can be found all over Aotearoa, each one is a little different but they all contain some key elements that align with our aims to build children into worthy and useful citizens in the community, using three specific areas:

SPIRITUAL – building strong Christian character
EDUCATIONAL - increased knowledge and understanding
PHYSICAL - developing physical fitness and team co-operation

We sum this up as preparing kids for life!

Rallys meet either weekly or fortnightly for regular Rally nights as well as other activities such as camps, outings, sports competitions, special events and combined regional camps!

Some Rallies wear Uniforms and some wear mufti. The cost of uniforms and Rally fees varies with each Rally group – but the amount is small. We try to make Rallies available to everyone.

Who can come to Rally?

EVERY child between the ages of 7 and 16 years is welcome to come to Rally. You don't have to be part of a local church or have any church background, rally is for everyone!

Who can be a leader?

Our Rally leaders are amazing, they are passionate about what they do and create environments where every child feels safe to grow and have fun! All our Rally leaders are connected to a local church and have undergone police vetting. They engage in regular training through our regional training events.

What do you do at Rally?

All kinds of things! Depending on the Rally you might do a craft, play games, eat food together or sing songs. All Rally nights include a short, interactive teaching from the Bible. Many Rallys use our badging system so kids can collect badges like first aid and many others related to useful skills and hobbies.

We can connect you with a local Rally leader if you would like to know more.

Where did it start?

The History of NZ Rally

In the year 1931, a young Christian businessman, the proprietor of a cycle shop in Newmarket, Auckland, had a strong conviction about starting a club for boys. Little did he know, it would become history.

He sold many bicycles to newspaper delivery boys on hire purchase and each week as he wrote out receipts for instalments, he felt a growing concern for their spiritual welfare. To him these boys were not just customers but became his friends. They confided in him and asked his advice about their problems, and he longed to be a help to them in some real and lasting way.

A club was started in a rented hall and was called the 'Newmarket Boys Rally'. It had a membership of over 100 boys. Willing Christian helpers were co-opted to assist in a programme of games, singing, supper and talks based on Bible teaching and Christian ethics.

This Rally ceased during WW2, but was recommenced as the war finished. This time, a more complete programme was organised including uniforms, badges, handbooks and Leader's Manuals.

The re-organised movement was then given the name of 'EVERY BOY'S RALLY'.
Girls from 1930 onwards had organised clubs, but it was not until late 1944 that they patterned their organisation on the Boy’s Rally and adopted the name of 'EVERY GIRLS RALLY'.

Graham Ashby has written a book on the history of Rally, which can be purchased here.