Trust represents the Far North
KaiMatariki Trust will represent Far North District on a national stage later this month, when voluntary groups from around New Zealand gather in Tauranga for the Trustpower National Community Awards.
Joining the trust from March 29 to 31 will be representatives from 25 other voluntary groups and organisations who were all named Supreme Winner at their respective regional Trustpower Community Awards.
Everyone will come together to celebrate their achievements, learn from one another, and take part in friendly competition for the title of Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner.
KaiMatariki Trust will give an eightminute presentation sharing their story, their achievements, and why they deserve the title of the Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner.
"KaiMatariki Trust has gained an international reputation as a leader in the preservation and celebration of indigenous culture through its focus on traditional Ma¯ ori games and customs."
Abbie Siely
Trustpower community and communications adviser
Some of the guest judges this year include Rhodes Scholar and 2017 runnerup in the NZ Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards, Johann Go, co-founder of Good Neighbour, Cam Hill, GM of Tauranga Women’s Refuge, Hazel Hape, and previous National Supreme Winner, Bruce Knight, from the Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The presentations will take place on Saturday, March 30 at Holy Trinity Tauranga. The winner, runner-up and recipient of the Whetu¯ Ma¯taiata Award will then be announced at an awards dinner that evening at Mills Reef.
This year Trustpower will also be presenting a special award, the Trustpower Award, which will go to a group that embodies one or more of the values the company aspires to. These include the current P.R.I.I.D.E values (passion, respect, integrity, innovation, delivery, empower), plus a focus on continuous improvement.
Groups will have the opportunity to network, share ideas, and take in some of the scenery from around the Tauranga Moana, which is also home to Trustpower’s head office.
Trustpower community and communications adviser Abbie Siely says KaiMatariki Trust stood out in their local competition for their work developing the potential and possibilities for youth at both a local and international level.
“KaiMatariki Trust has gained an international reputation as a leader in the preservation and celebration of indigenous culture through its focus on traditional Maori games and customs. Recent achievements include an invitation to an international kite flying festival in Italy, hosting First Nations Cree for Waitangi Day celebrations, and teaching Ma¯ori games at Leiden University in The Netherlands.
“These guys really know how to put on a show and we cannot wait to be entertained and inspired by them in Tauranga,” says Siely.
The Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner will take home a custom-made trophy by Tauranga artist, Charlie Clegg, $4000 in prize money, a $1000 voucher from Exult (one of New Zealand’s leading training providers for the community sector), and a framed certificate.
The runner-up will receive $2500 in prize money, a $500 Exult voucher, and a framed certificate.
The Trustpower Award recipient will receive $1000 in prize money, and a framed certificate. The Whetu¯ Ma¯taiata Award— a group with strong potential who will benefit from additional support — recipient receives a framed certificate and a consultancy service package from Exult.