Nominations for ‘local heroes’ open

Do you know an individual or a community group who have made a difference to the Ka¯piti community?

The council is reminding residents they can nominate locals for two awards that recognise community service. The Ka¯piti

Coast Civic Awards are the council’s highest honour for individuals as well as groups, who have shown exemplary service and/or leadership to keep communities connected and strong.

Mayor K Gurunathan says it is important to recognise people and groups that build stronger communities.

In these ‘‘uncertain and stressful’’ times, he says it is even more important to recognise ‘‘local heroes’’ and their contribution. The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards celebrate community group volunteers who through their work have helped make Ka¯piti a great place to live.

The awards are given in six categories: arts and culture, education and child/youth development, health and wellbeing, heritage and environment, sport and leisure, and the rising star category for emerging groups.

Last year, 28 community groups across the Wellington region were recognised, with five awards going to Ka¯piti: Ka¯piti Bears Rugby League Club; L’Arche Kapiti, in Paraparaumu; Pickle Pot Be-in, in Paeka¯ka¯riki; Te Ara Korowai, in Raumati Beach; and Zero Waste O¯ taki.

This year the civic awards will go to individuals and groups who have: ■ Through compassion and kindness, strengthened community connections; and/or

■ Enhanced the wellbeing of vulnerable people in our community; and/or

■ Created new ways to help our communities to feel safe, healthy, thriving and connected.

The 2021 Mayoral Award recipient was Rupene Waaka, who has a long history of service to his iwi, Nga¯ti Raukawa ki te Tonga, his hapu¯, the Ka¯piti community, and Aotearoa.

Civic awards were presented to three individuals and one local group last year for their contribution to their community during the Covid-19 lockdown. They were:

■ Paeka¯ka¯riki resident Helen Keivom, who worked tirelessly to keep the community safe and connected

■ Peter Blackler who supported the men from MenzShed Ka¯piti as well as other health initiatives

■ Joseph Te Wiata, who swapped managing his gym to support the frontline of essential workers at O¯ taki New World.

■ The Cobblers Lunch group of volunteers, who delivered homemade soup to older people in their homes in O¯ taki.

Anyone can nominate a deserving individual or group for the civic awards or put a group forward for the regional community awards. Find out how at kapiticoast. govt.nz/civic-awards. Nominations close 5pm, Tuesday, May 31.