5th December 2017
2018 Local Heroes awarded for services to Wellington
Wellington’s selfless, optimistic and generous citizens were honoured for their service today at the annual Kiwibank
Local Hero Awards.
As part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2018, 39 Wellington locals received their Local Hero medals at
a special ceremony at Parliament.
The Minister for Community and Voluntary Sector Hon Peeni Henare, attended the ceremony to congratulate and present the
medals to this year’s winners. He commended the recipients for their achievements in the community, saying that the
award ceremony is a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of many in the region.
“This year’s recipients are selfless, loving and dedicated people who have all impacted the Wellington Region in unique
ways.”
“The positive difference they have made to the lives of others cannot be overstated. It’s important communities take
time to reflect and acknowledge the special place these people hold in our lives.”
The 2018 Kiwibank Local Heroes for Wellington were:
Robert Kinsela Workman (Avalon)
Colleen Johnston (Berhampore)
Gail Abel (Eastbourne)
Caroline Finlay (Featherston)
Catherine Raizis (Hataitai)
Merilyn Merrett (Hutt City)
Jan Heine (Hutt City)
Gabriel Tupou (Hutt City)
Amanda Coulston (Hutt City)
Missy Awatere (Hutt City)
Joanne Ruawai-Hawira (Hutt City)
Wallace Patrick Haumaha (Johnsonville)
Patricia Thompson (Kelburn)
Steve Riley (Masterton)
Robert Hill (Masterton)
Barbara Halliwell (Miramar)
Catherine Rossiter-Stead (Morrisons Bush)
Donna Kennedy (Northland)
Mark Dunajtschik (Oriental Bay)
Peter Carrington (Paraparaumu)
Alex Hannant (Te Aro)
Shona Belcher (Upper Hutt)
Ewen Heron (Wainuiomata)
Hamish and Juliet Qualthrough (Wairarapa)
Leigh Priday (Wairarapa)
Rachel Norman (Wairarapa)
Tracey Cooper (Wairarapa)
Lynda Coogan (Wairarapa)
Heidi Ward-McGrath (Wairarapa)
Kim McKinley (Wairarapa)
Sarah Lysaght (Wairarapa)
Raewyn McLaren (Wellington)
Ian McLaren (Wellington)
Lloyd Scott (Wellington)
Farida Sultana (Wellington)
Laurie Foon (Wellington)
Heather Henare (Wellington)
Sally Bain (York Bay)
The Kiwibank Local Hero awards is New Zealand’s premier community award, celebrating and honouring those who have made a
positive contribution to their region, town, suburb or community.
340 specially made Local Hero medals will be presented nationwide over the next few weeks with one national Local Heroes
winner to be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards in Auckland of February next year.
Mark Stephen, Kiwibank Acting CEO, said the bank’s nationwide network of staff were humbled and proud to be supporting
communities to celebrate their “Local Heroes” over the past 9 years.
“Many of these medal winners are unsung heroes, whose selflessness has had a profound effect on the lives of so many in
the community.”
“Those acts of charity, optimism and commitment are what make New Zealand such a special place to live in. We think it’s
important for us to give thanks to these people and that’s why we sponsor the Local Hero Awards.”
The 2018 New Zealander of the Year Awards are to be presented in six award categories, with the overall winner of each
category to be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala on the 22nd February 2018.
The categories are:
The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
The Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year
The University of Auckland Young New Zealander of the Year
The Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year
The Sanitarium New Zealand Innovator of the Year
The Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
ENDS