AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

26 April 2007

Auckland stars become Living Legends

Aucklanders who have made an outstanding contribution to their city will be recognised this evening when they receive a special award from Mayor of Auckland City, Dick Hubbard at a Council Meeting.

Six Aucklanders will become Living Legends and will be presented with a certificate and a pohutukawa tree in appreciation of their efforts within their communities, Auckland city and beyond.

The Mayor's Living Legend award was introduced by Mayor Hubbard after he realised there was a lack of formal recognition for those people who are doing great work, achieving great things and making a real difference to the lives of fellow Aucklanders.

"Aucklanders who go above and beyond the call of duty, those who instil pride in our city, those who contribute to the vibrancy, diversity and creativity of our city are highly valued, but not always recognised," Mayor Dick Hubbard said.

The recipients are:

Dancer Douglas Wright Winner of one of five inaugural Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureates and a Creative NZ Choreography Fellowship, Wright has been widely acclaimed for his choreography, theatre, dance and literary talents both in New Zealand and overseas. Wright's most recent choreographed work, Black Milk, showcased some of New Zealand's lead dancers, and coincided with the release of his second book, Terra Incognito.

Singer, songwriter, Don McGlashan McGlashan has been widely recognised for his achievements, including Song of the Year at the NZ Recording Industry awards, being awarded APRA Silver Scrolls for well known songs "Anchor Me" and "Bathe in the River", and the audience award for composing the score for "No. 2" which featured at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006.

Police Officer Nick Tuitasi Serving with the New Zealand Police since 1981, Nick Tuitasi has specialised in Crime Prevention and working with at-risk families in Auckland for the last 15 years. Many families in Auckland have benefited as a direct result of his work. He still serves as a Senior Constable with the Mt Roskill Police.

Community Volunteer Charles Crotty Charles Crotty has been involved with Turn Your Life Around project (TYLA), since the Avondale Rotary Club was approached for funding to assist young offenders in the community ten years ago. After his own experiences with helping a young offender in his own workplace, Crotty believed in there being a way in which to help before they got involved with crime and TYLA was born.

Architect Ivan Mercep Since graduating for the University of Auckland school of architecture in 1954, Ivan Mercep's work has been widely acclaimed, with many notable achievements his field. Some of his works include award winning projects such as the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, the University of Auckland Recreation Centre and the University of Auckland Arts Commerce Building as well as projects throughout New Zealand and overseas. He was named as Metro magazines Aucklander of the year in 2004.

Keith Taylor Notable achievements throughout his career include serving as the Superintendant/ Executive Director for the Methodist Mission Northern, acting as a spokesperson and advocate theologian for the Mission and Methodist Church, representing their interests to the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Church and ecumenical agencies, Central and Local governments and other relevant industry networks.

Artist Stanley Palmer The Auckland landscape has provided inspiration for many of his works, with some of the causes Palmer has contributed to over the years have seeing him donate his own works of art for charity, and paint particular subject to express his conscientious environmentalist approach. He has supported many community efforts to save the Methodist Church in Mount Eden from demolition. He is now an active member of the society and uses his artistic skills in fund raising to finance the alterations to convert the church to multi use community space.

Living Legends are generally selected by the Mayor on the basis of their contribution to growth and industry, feats of heroism, excellent voluntary service, being a champion for local issues or have given funds generously for a cause.

Nominations are received via Community Boards.

ENDS

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