MEDIA RELEASE

24 November 2014

Wellington region’s Local Heroes honoured for services to the community

Everyday people doing exceptional things were the toast of the town tonight (Monday) as the Wellington region honoured its very own “Local Heroes”.

As part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2015, the 20 winners of the Local Heroes category were presented with their awards at a special medal presentation ceremony at Kiwibank Head Office in Wellington.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown was on hand to present the medals. She congratulated the recipients on their award and said that it was vital that communities continued to acknowledge the contributions they made.

“Many of these medal winners are unsung heroes whose selflessness has had a profound effect on the lives of so many. Those acts of optimism and commitment are what hold a community together,” she said.

Tonight’s ceremony starts at 5.30pm at Kiwibank Head Office in Wellington.

The recipients of the Kiwibank Local Heroes Awards for the Wellington region are:

• Belinda Jane Robertson

• Betty van Gaalen

• Bob Francis

• Brook Turner

• Caroline Stewart

• Helen Henderson

• Joanna Alderdice

• Kiwi Community Assistance

• Leigh Renai

• Lia Wood

• Lotta Dann

• Martin Bosley

• Mary Elizabeth Fisher, MNZM

• Paul Knox

• Peter Layne

• Raewyn Gee

• Sumara Fraser

• Taylor Finderup

• Wayne Stevens

• Yanetta Hiko

Now in their sixth year, the Kiwibank Local Heroes awards have quickly established themselves as the ultimate recognition for good deeds in the community. A total of 201 medals will be presented nationwide during the coming weeks with one national Local Heroes winner to be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards in Auckland in February next year.

Kiwibank chief executive Paul Brock said Kiwibank was proud to support local communities and acknowledge the achievements of their outstanding individuals.

“Every day there are special people working tirelessly to make other Kiwis better off. They’d be the first to say they’re not special people but we know otherwise. That’s why we have the Local Heroes awards – it’s the community’s way of honoring and saying thanks to these fine people.”

The national winner of the Local Heroes Award will be selected from three finalists, who will also attend the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards. The judging panel – comprising representatives of the awards, patrons, presenters, sponsors, community leaders and independent experts – will announce the 10 Local Heroes semifinalists next month. The three finalists will be announced in the New Year.

The New Zealander of the Year Awards 2015 is presented in six award categories, with one overall winner for each. The six award categories are:

• Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year

• Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year

• University of Auckland Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year

• Mitre 10 Community of the Year

• Sanitarium Innovator of the Year

• Kiwibank Local Heroes Awards

ENDS

Notes for media

Wellington Region’s Local Heroes

Raewyn Gee (Wellington)

Raewyn has been Treasurer for the Strathmore, Seatoun & Bays Plunket committee since July 2012.

She has been instrumental in organising the much-needed maintenance on the Strathmore, Seatoun & Bays Plunket buildings. That included countless hours applying for grants and sponsorships to upgrade the building. The two-year project included exterior repainting, the installation of safety glass in all ground floor windows and a sunshade fitted over the sand pit.

Raewyn puts her heart and soul into everything she does, including an outstanding effort with the Plunket Annual Appeal for Strathmore, Seatoun & Bays area.

Leigh Renai (Wellington)

Leigh has dedicated the past 25 years to helping people with cancer.

Leigh owns and manages Image Works, which fits wigs and custom hairpieces for those suffering hair loss as a result of cancer treatment. She offers consultations in-home and travels to patients’ homes or hospitals when necessary.

Leigh is also a foundation member, workshop tutor and co-ordinator of Look Good Feel Better, a free service offered to women undergoing treatment for cancer. Look Good Feel Better helps restore and enhance the appearance and confidence of patients during and after treatments. Leigh volunteers thousands of hours every year to running Look Good Feel Better workshops, supporting and guiding her clients through a difficult time in their lives.

Martin Bosley (Wellington)

Three years ago, Wellington restaurateur and food writer Martin Bosley embarked on a mission to teach prisoners how to cook restaurant-quality meals.

The mission was in collaboration with the Department of Corrections and Rimutaka Prison. It aimed to provide prisoners with practical and employable skills for re-entering society.

Martin trained the prisoners for a Wellington on the Plate event where they served dinner to members of the public. The first event was a great success and through Martin’s dedication it also lead to the employment of three of the six participants in cooking careers.

Martin remains committed to the programme and this year was able to get two other restaurant chefs involved.

With employment key to preventing reoffending, Martin has helped men gain the skills, confidence and self-esteem to live successful lives on release.

Lotta Dann (Wellington)

A self-confessed alcoholic, Lotta created an online blog to share her journey of giving up the drink.

Through publicly confronting the issue, she has dispelled many myths and preconceptions about alcoholism in the wider community.

Lotta has inspired more than 1000 people to follow her online journey. Most of these followers are also people with alcohol-related addictions and, since hearing her story, many have begun the process of becoming sober.

The blog gives followers the chance to share comments and their own experiences.

An ex-journalist, Lotta has also published her own book, which has helped her to connect with and help many more people with drinking problems.

Mary Fisher (Wellington)

Mary burst on to the Paralympics scene at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, winning a total of four medals including a gold (with a world-record time), two silvers and a bronze.

Mary, who is legally blind, is not only a successful Paralympian but also an inspirational leader. Her achievements serve as an example for others striving to reach their dreams. Her leadership was recognised when she won 2014 Wellington Sportswoman of the Year.

Her most recent results include six gold medals at the 2014 Pan Pacific Para Championships and five golds and a silver at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships. Her contribution to the sport of swimming was acknowledged in 2013 when she was honoured as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Swimming.

Mary embodies determination and positivity, characteristics her community are enormously proud of.

Belinda Jane Robertson (Wellington)

As club secretary, Belinda is an amazing asset to the Wellington Speedway.

The club has more than 150 members and Belinda always goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the club runs smoothly. She contributes more than 30 volunteer hours each week to ensure that race evenings run smoothly. She even organises the annual Speedway Ball.

Belinda has been involved in Speedway for more than two decades and is the main organiser of the Superstock and Stock Car team events. This includes organising entries, accommodation and transport for teams to travel around the country, as well as a leadership role at events.

Yanetta Hiko (Wellington)

Yanetta is founder and co-director of Hiko Health & Fitness Ltd, a Pacific and Maori whanau and community initiative.

Yanetta began running family exercise sessions three times a week in 2010, with the aim of starting her whanau on a healthier journey. What started with one family quickly grew to six, and evolved into a 12-week fitness programme.

In March 2013 Hiko leased space on Cambridge Terrace and Hiko Health and Fitness Ltd became a commercial reality.

Yanetta’s desire to create a sustainable business that took a holistic approach to fitness has changed many lives across the Wellington community.

Wayne Stevens (Wellington)

Wayne is always giving back to the Wellington community.

For the past 30 years Wayne has served on the frontline in hundreds of rescue operations with Land Search and Rescue. He now works behind the scenes to provide support throughout the Wellington region.

Currently a senior analyst at Treasury, Wayne has helped to instigate a programme where Treasury staff help with reading education at a low decile school in Cannons Creek.

He is also a volunteer paramedic with the Wellington Free Ambulance, working regular Friday night shifts.

Brook Turner (Wellington)

With 13 years’ youth work experience, Brook has influenced many lives in the Wellington region and internationally.

As chief executive of Zeal Education Trust, Brook has led the not-for-profit organisation’s growth from two staff to more than 20. Under Brook’s leadership Zeal has established three creative arts youth facilities and became an innovative youth advocacy brand reaching more than 500,000 people annually.

Brook has written a leadership curriculum that is now taught in 10 Wellington region high schools. She also specialises in cognitive theory programs helping young people work through social issues in a community context.

During the past 10 years Brook has taught leadership development skills to youth workers in Asia, the Pacific and Australia.

Caroline Stewart (Lower Hutt)

Over the past 22 years Caroline has created a cultural and artistic outlet for children in Stokes Valley through her dance studio.

She began dancing at the age of 16 and has dedicated her life to students in her community.

Her dancers often perform at school galas, retirement homes and fundraisers. Every year Caroline works tirelessly to produce a concert that both the students love to be a part of and that the community enjoys watching.

Caroline also volunteers to teach and choreograph dance at local schools. She always has the good of those around her at heart, inspiring many students to excel in everything they do.

Sumara Fraser (Kapiti)

Sumara is passionate about building a stronger community through embracing people from all walks of life in dance.

As the tutor and co-ordinator of Wellington Integrated Dance, Sumara provides an inclusive environment for dancers whether they are disabled or non-disabled, young or old, experienced or novice.

She seeks out performance opportunities for the group, which has performed at Te Papa, the Wellington Opera House and Te Whaea: New Zealand National Dance and Drama Centre.

Sumara encourages her dancers to push their boundaries. She even invites tutors from outside the group to teach, so that the group continues to learn and develop new ideas.

Taylor Finderup (Kapiti)

Taylor, aged 15, is a passionate animal rights advocate and volunteer with several wildlife, rights and conservation organisations, including Sea Shepherd, Forest & Bird, Greenpeace, SPCA, SAFE and the World Wildlife Fund.

Her campaign to stop shark finning has had a profound effect on raising awareness about sharks.

Taylor’s campaign, Stop With Finning, attracted the help of other incredible youth to help her raise awareness about the issue, collect signatures for petitions and to give educational presentations.

Her campaign has now visited schools as well as large and small events, including TEDxYouth in Auckland and the recent Festival for the Future.

She has a great understanding of the marine eco-system and has taken her passion for the sea to new levels, mobilising thousands of young and old New Zealanders to help protect sharks.

Betty van Gaalen (Kapiti)

Betty has been an influential figure throughout the Wellington region for more than 40 years.

A prominent councillor, politician and suffragette medal recipient, Betty's leadership and contribution to the region has been remarkable.

She has served 27 years in local government at local, regional, city and national levels.

Having lived on the Kapiti Coast for 16 years, Betty joined the Waikanae Cameo Society, became a member Kapiti Grey Power, was the Inaugural President of the Millennium Probus Club, and belongs to Our Lady of Fatima Church in the Kapiti Parish. She was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in 1987 for services to the community.

Betty continues to give her time to the community and always looks for avenues to assist others.

Helen Henderson (Lower Hutt)

For nearly 30 years Helen has been helping children with special needs in the community through her self-founded organisation, Kara Hands.

Having given up her six-bedroom home in order to convert it into a respite facility for families and children, Helen is nothing short of a hero to those she has helped in Wellington region and New Zealand.

Following the death of co-founder Cathy Garton earlier this year, Helen has taken over twice the workload. Even while coping with her own grief, she has worked tirelessly to train new staff so they can carry the organisation into the future.

When Kara Hands first opened it was the only facility of its kind in Lower Hutt and the support provided by both Cathy and Kara Hands is a great help to those parents caring for children with extra needs.

Joanna Alderdice (Whitby)

In 2009 Joanna started Little Sprouts, a charity that compiles free packs of essential baby items to mothers and families who desperately need them.

Joanna spends more than 40 hours each week sourcing, packaging and distributing baby items across New Zealand.

It is not just baby booties and bibs in the packs. Joanna goes the extra mile and includes smoke alarms, thermometers, washing powder and other household essentials to ensure babies and families are in safe environments.

She has formed essential ties with key family support agencies such as House of Grace, Women’s Refuge and the Red Cross to ensure that the gift boxes go to the most deserving families.

Kiwi Community Assistance (Tawa)

Kiwi Community Assistance distributes essentials to local food banks, schools, refugee services, budgeting agencies and Work and Income clients in the Wellington region.

Collecting donations of surplus garden produce, clothing, furniture and whiteware, KCA distributes goods free-of-charge to those in need across the city. They now have 23 donation bins for donors to leave clothing in.

Run entirely by volunteers, KCA has assisted more than 30,000 residents in the Wellington region through distributing nearly 20,000 boxes of fresh produce, clothing, children’s books, linen, toiletries, nappies and much more to those in need.

Peter Layne (Tawa)

Peter has contributed countless hours of research both in New Zealand and overseas to produce a written record of New Zealand’s aviation history.

A renowned aviation historian, Peter has co-authored and contributed to a number of books. He has been an active member of the NZ Aviation society for 44 years, appointed historian of Gliding NZ since 1979, and has written a 50-year history of the Auckland Gliding Club.

Peter served on the National Airways Corporation 60th Anniversary planning committee and was a committee member to help mark the 40thanniversary of the Kaimai Crash.

Paul Knox (Wainuiomata)

Paul is a stalwart of the Wainuiomata Community Patrol, a voluntary group that helps police make their community a safer place.

They act as the eyes and ears for the police, ready to report any suspicious activity to police.

Paul is always the first to volunteer for extra patrols and is always looking for ways to make the patrol more cost-effective. He has been an inspiration to all members and despite serious illness, continues to cover all the administrative tasks connected with the patrol.

He spends several days each week volunteering at the Police Station in Wainuiomata, where he liaises with the Local Community Policing Team and Neighbourhood Support. He has also been involved in creating the patrol’s website and Facebook page. These have enabled him to recruit new patrollers and as a result has grown the patrol membership.

Paul has also qualified as a Wainuiomata Community Patrol Training Officer, training new people to help serve the community.

Lia Wood (Martinborough)

Lia is a stalwart of the Martinborough Plunket committee. She serves in two officers’ roles, as treasurer and secretary, keeping on top of finances and writing up minutes.

Last year she spearheaded the UCOL (Universal College of Learning) housebuild project, working in conjunction with UCOL, contractors, sponsors and the community to build a house that could be auctioned off. The auction raised $15,000 for Plunket.

Lia ensures services and family events are maintained in Martinborough, including organising the annual garage sale that draws people from across the Wellington and Wairarapa.

She has led organising a teddy bear's picnic and is currently working on a major project to include Plunket rooms in the new town hall buildings.

Thanks to Lia, many mothers and families around Martinborough and the Wairarapa have the support they need.

Bob Francis (Masterton)

Bob has given many years of service to Masterton and the wider Wairarapa community.

Having served as Mayor of Masterton for more than 20 years, Bob has continued in key governance positions following his retirement.

This has included work in many community projects, including Pukaha Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, Wings over Wairarapa and the Wairarapa Water Project Governance Group. He has even been an international rugby referee and has only recently retired as an international referees’ selector.

Highly respected, Bob has been an amazing mentor to the community and always makes the time to assist anyone seeking his help.

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