HB’s local heroes are honoured
Now in its 10th year, the Kiwibank Local Hero Awards are New Zealand’s premier community awards, celebrating and honouring those who have made a positive contribution to their region, town, suburb or community.
This year, 322 medals will be presented nationwide, with one New Zealand Local Hero of the Year winner announced at the New Zealander of the Year Awards gala in February next year.
Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich said the Local Hero awards always held a special place in the hearts of the bank’s staff.
“These medal recipients are the unsung heroes whose selflessness, optimism and commitment has had a profound effect on the lives of so many in the community. Yet in the rush of day-to-day lives, we can sometimes forget to properly acknowledge just how special these people are.
“That’s why we have the Local Heroes awards — it’s the community’s way of honouring and saying thanks to these fine people.”
The 2019 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 13th February 2019.
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
Everyday people doing exceptional things were the toast of the town last week as Hawke’s Bay honoured its own Local Heroes at the annual Kiwibank Local Hero Awards.
As part of the 2019 New Zealander of the Year Awards, 16 Kiwibank Local Heroes were presented with medals to recognise their achievements, at the Napier Conference Centre.
Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker and Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst presented the medals and congratulated the recipients s.
“Our region’s 16 local heroes demonstrate the acts of charity, commitment and selflessness which is what holds a community together. Many of these individuals are inspiring members of Napier who have all uniquely touched the lives of others,” said Dalton.
“The hard work and dedication of these individuals cannot be overstated. I was proud to present my regions winners with the medals they deserve today,” said Mayor Walker.
“We are proud to acknowledge our outstanding Hastings people through the Local Hero of the Year Awards. They all make an enormous contribution to make our place great.”
said Hazlehurst. Local Heroes for Hawkes Bay were:
■ Tama Bucknell (Waipukurau)
■ Dr David Tipene-Leach (Hastings)
■ Graeme Norton (Hastings)
■ Jody Hamilton (Napier)
■ Wayne Douglas Clark (Havelock North)
■ Jillian Patricia Frizzell (Hastings)
■ Janice Hopkinson (Havelock North)
■ Nikki Gardner (Hastings)
■ Frank Wilkins (Hastings)
■ Anthony Richardson (Heretaunga)
■ Donald Raymond Fraser (Napier)
■ Rana Tama Te Rangi Huata (Hawke’s Bay)
■ Raewyn Laura Polglase (Hastings)
■ Judy Halkett (Wairoa)
■ Fae Andersen (Flaxmere)
■ Maree Forde-Harris (Havelock North)