Recognition for achievers in Flaxmere

Flaxmere’s high achievers have been recognised with the reinstatement of the Flaxmere Heroes Board at a celebration last week.

About 40 people gathered at the Flaxmere Community Centre on Wednesday to take part in a small ceremony to honour the 29 people whose names appear on plaques on the board, with more to be added in the future.

One attendee was Macherie Edwards, whose brother Parlayne Hawea featured on the board for his New Zealand representation in basketball, as did her cousin Kayne Hawea who had enjoyed success with New Zealand junior basketball.

She says the whole family grew up in Flaxmere and that the recognition was “awesome”.

“It’s important to be recognised — we’ve all moved away now but Flaxmere’s always been my home — it’s cool to touch base with my roots, and this is a great way to remind the kids here of what we have.”

While many of the people recognised had played sport to a high level — including basketball, rugby, karate, darts, taekwondo, netball, touch rugby and chess — other contributions, such as to New Zealand and international music, were also highlighted.

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst attended the celebration and says some special names were on the board representing a diverse range of disciplines.

“Flaxmere has it all and there’s many more names that will go up here — this is just the beginning.”

Flaxmere councillors Henare O’Keefe and Jacoby Poulain also attended the event, as did Henry Heke, chairperson of the Flaxmere Community Centre advisory group.

Henry says the newest addition to the centre was “another beam of light to get things happening here in Flaxmere”.