Celebrating The Local Unsung Heroes At The 2025 Volunteer Awards
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Hutt City over the previous 12 months.
Lower Hutt's dedicated volunteers took centre stage last night at a special event recognising their invaluable contributions.
The 2025 Volunteer Awards brought together recipients of this year's Civic Honours and Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.
Mayor Campbell Barry said the evening was a chance to pause and shine a light on the years of service and selflessness the winners have given, often without ever expecting anything in return.
'These people have given their time, energy and heart to make life better for others.'
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Hutt City over the previous 12 months.
'These groups deserve recognition for the amazing and selfless work they do in the community,' he said.
'Congratulations to all finalists and winners, and best of luck for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year.'
Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards – Lower Hutt Winners:
Art & Culture – Arohanui Strings+
Education & Child/Youth Development – Tūhura Tech
Health & Wellbeing – Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) – Hato Hone St John
Heritage & Environment – Forest & Bird Lower Hutt Branch
Sport & Leisure – Hutt Valley Saints Softball Club
Rising Star – Foundation for Equity and Research New Zealand
Supreme – Tūhura Tech
Civic Honours Recipients:
Braden Longstaff – Youth Services
Madeleine Wilson – Youth Services
Daniel Gamboa – Youth Activities
Grant Rutherford – Health & Wellbeing and Community Service
Debbie Kelly – Health & Wellbeing
Haimana (Si) Hirini – Cultural Affairs
Pam Cromarty – Environmental
Mayor Barry also acknowledged the friends and whānau who stand behind each volunteer.
'Volunteering doesn't happen in isolation. The people we recognised last night are supported by others – family, friends, and communities who share in the work and its impact.'
The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards are run in partnership with Hutt City Council and recognise the work of local community organisations. Civic Honours are awarded by Council to individuals who have made long-standing voluntary contributions to the city.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Celebrating The Local Unsung Heroes At The 2025 Volunteer Awards
Press Release – Hutt City Council Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Hutt City over the previous 12 months. Lower Hutt's dedicated volunteers took centre stage last night at a special event recognising their invaluable contributions. The 2025 Volunteer Awards brought together recipients of this year's Civic Honours and Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards. Mayor Campbell Barry said the evening was a chance to pause and shine a light on the years of service and selflessness the winners have given, often without ever expecting anything in return. 'These people have given their time, energy and heart to make life better for others.' Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Hutt City over the previous 12 months. 'These groups deserve recognition for the amazing and selfless work they do in the community,' he said. 'Congratulations to all finalists and winners, and best of luck for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year.' Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards – Lower Hutt Winners: Art & Culture – Arohanui Strings+ Education & Child/Youth Development – Tūhura Tech Health & Wellbeing – Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) – Hato Hone St John Heritage & Environment – Forest & Bird Lower Hutt Branch Sport & Leisure – Hutt Valley Saints Softball Club Rising Star – Foundation for Equity and Research New Zealand Supreme – Tūhura Tech Civic Honours Recipients: Braden Longstaff – Youth Services Madeleine Wilson – Youth Services Daniel Gamboa – Youth Activities Grant Rutherford – Health & Wellbeing and Community Service Debbie Kelly – Health & Wellbeing Haimana (Si) Hirini – Cultural Affairs Pam Cromarty – Environmental Mayor Barry also acknowledged the friends and whānau who stand behind each volunteer. 'Volunteering doesn't happen in isolation. The people we recognised last night are supported by others – family, friends, and communities who share in the work and its impact.' The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards are run in partnership with Hutt City Council and recognise the work of local community organisations. Civic Honours are awarded by Council to individuals who have made long-standing voluntary contributions to the city.
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Scoop
Upper Hutt At Heart: Local Volunteers And Not-For-Profits Celebrated At Airport Awards
Press Release – Upper Hutt City Council Thirty-three volunteer groups and not-for-profit organisations were the local finalists, recognised across six categories for their countless hours of service to the Upper Hutt community. Community spirit and local generosity lit up Whirinaki Whare Taonga as Upper Hutt celebrated its Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards finalists on Tuesday evening. Thirty-three volunteer groups and not-for-profit organisations were the local finalists, recognised across six categories for their countless hours of service to the Upper Hutt community. The represented initiatives were diverse and wide-reaching. They included scouts, sports clubs, animal welfare advocates, creative arts groups, and social service providers, amongst others. 'The energy and effort of volunteers and community groups make a real difference to locals every day,' said Jane Braun, Upper Hutt City Council's Community Partnerships Manager. 'All of the finalists contribute significantly to the social fabric of our local community.' Dedication and commitment were not the only qualities in the spotlight at the annual awards. Mike Ryan, Group Manager Community Services at Upper Hutt City Council, commended the finalists for demonstrating innovation and a keen understanding of their community. 'Year on year, the Airport Awards show us how community-led initiatives address and adapt to local needs and service gaps. Such a breadth of delivery models and support structures is inspiring, and a huge asset to Upper Hutt,' he said. Wellington Airport has hosted the awards in conjunction with the wider region's city councils since 2004. Matt Clarke, Wellington Airport chief executive, emphasised that the airport is proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Upper Hutt. 'These groups deserve recognition for the amazing and selfless work they do in the community. Congratulations to all the Upper Hutt finalists and winners, and best of luck for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year,' he said. Upper Hutt's winners have now progressed to the final stage of the awards, where they will be acknowledged alongside the winners from the other participating councils in the region, and will have the opportunity to become the overall winner in their respective award category. This year's Upper Hutt winners and runners-up are: Arts and Culture Winner: Pinestream Quilters Runner-up: Te Heke Mai Education and Child/Youth Development Winner: Stockdale Farm Runner-up: Upper Hutt Autism Group (UHAG) Health and Wellbeing Winner: Upper Hutt Women's Centre Runner-up (joint): Upper Hutt Community Patrol Runner-up (joint): Ōrongomai Marae – Kai Bank Heritage and Environment Winner: Heretaunga Bookfest Charitable Trust Runner-up: Upper Hutt Repair Café Sport and Leisure Winner: Reload FX Runner-up: Upper Hutt Hockey Club Rising Star Winner: Natural Leaders Supreme Award
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Scoop
Thousands Of Free Native Plants For Lower Hutt – Let's Get More In The Ground
Press Release – Hutt City Council Locals can register for up to five free native plants to grow in their own backyards or community area. Weve doubled the total number of plants available this year, up from 2000 last year, as we push to reach 114,000 native plantings by 2025. Lower Hutt residents can again be part of the Mouri Tupu: Planting for the Future initiative with 4000 free native plants up for grabs to brighten backyards and community spaces. Locals can register for up to five free native plants to grow in their own backyards or community area. We've doubled the total number of plants available this year, up from 2000 last year, as we push to reach 114,000 native plantings by 2025. Mouri Tupu is about getting more native plants in the ground across Lower Hutt, on berms, in backyards, and in community spaces. Last year's response showed locals are keen to get involved and this year we're scaling up so even more households can take part. To help reach the city's planting target, residents who successfully register can collect their plants at one of four collection days: Proof of Lower Hutt residency, such as a utility bill or library card, will be required upon collection. Mayor Campbell Barry says an integral part of the Mouri Tupu initiative is about empowering residents to take part in greening their city. 'This is about rolling up our sleeves and getting more native plants in the ground. We've already hit 73,000 and we're not slowing down. Giving plants straight to locals is a simple, practical way to get more people involved in the work to green and protect our city.' About Mouri Tupu Mouri is the life force or energy present in everything; not just living things like animals or plants, but also inanimate objects, places, and man-made items. This energy is nurtured and grown, or neglected and stunted, depending on our interaction with and care for the energy. Tupu refers to the early stages of the plant life cycle and encompasses the whole process of growth itself. Mouri Tupu is our way of recognising that everything has the potential to grow and thrive, powered by the energy that flows through all things, and sustained by our interaction and care of it. This is why we are committed to ensuring a community in which everyone thrives; and we can only thrive if our environment is suitable.
