25 July 2018
Zonta Club of Mana members Pat Liddell, left, and Barbara Thompson, with Porirua Mayor Mike Tana and the spoils from the
Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. Photograph: Geoff Marshall
Porirua City Council congratulates the Zonta Club of Mana for taking out the Porirua section of the 2018 Wellington
Airport Regional Community Awards.
The club was awarded the supreme prize at a ceremony at Pātaka Art + Museum on Tuesday, after earlier winning the Health
and Wellbeing category.
Other community organisations that won categories were Aotea Conservation Volunteers (Heritage and Environment), Uso
Bike Ride (Sport and Leisure), Cannons Creek Youth Charitable Trust (Education & Child Youth Development), Tape Art NZ (Arts & Culture) and WELLfed (Rising Star).
Wellington Airport, Wellington Community Trust and the region’s five councils join together each year to highlight the
incredible work being put in by community groups and volunteers.
Judges weighed up more than 30 Porirua entrants’ innovation, creativity, effectiveness of activities, impact in the
community and volunteer input.
The winners from each city will go on to the regional awards, to be held at Te Papa on November 15.
Porirua Mayor Mike Tana says the Zonta Club of Mana, which celebrates its 40th birthday next year, is typical of an
organisation that has showed its worth in Porirua under the guidance of dedicated volunteers.
“What a wonderful group of people – I especially love the relationship they have built with Arohata Prison in the past
seven years, donating many items to the women there,” he said.
“The fundraising from the Zonta Club is non-stop for local causes and charities, anti-violence campaigns, Women’s Refuge
and with scholarships for young women – we are truly blessed to have this group in Porirua.”
Last year, the Porirua and regional winner was Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust.
Past supreme winners in Porirua have included Kiwi Community Assistance, Whitireia Community Law Centre and Porirua
Vikings Rugby League Club.
ends