Latest news with #RegionalCommunityAwards
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- 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
- General
- 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
22-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Volunteers Celebrated At Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards
Ahu Charitable Trust (Pukerua Bay Hub) was crowned supreme Porirua winners at the 2025 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards last night. The event, held at Pātaka Art + Museum, highlighted outstanding volunteers and organisations making a difference in Porirua with their dedication and passion. Category winners were: Education and Child/Youth Development - 41 (City of Porirua) Squadron Air Training Corp (runner-up Holy Family Parish Youth Ministry) Health and Wellbeing - Foundation for Equity and Research NZ (runner-up Waitangirua Market) Arts and Culture - Ahu Charitable Trust (Pukerua Bay Hub) (runner-up Malaga Sā) Sport and Leisure - Plimmerton Boating Club (runner-up Porirua City Aquatics Learn to Swim programme) Heritage and Environment - Whitireia Park Restoration Group (runner-up Tū Matau Ora) Rising Star - Heavy Hitterz (runner-up O Le Nu'u Trust) Supreme Award - Ahu Charitable Trust (Pukerua Bay Hub) Ahu Charitable Trust (Pukerua Bay Hub) was established in 2017 by locals wanting to bring the community together to share skills and build resilience. Last winter, their innovative 'Pop-Up Parlour' transformed St Marks Church into a central hub with 48 diverse events held over a five-week period. Porirua City Council's General Manager Community & Partnerships, Reuben Friend, said the awards are a chance to show off how diverse groups are making our a better place for us to live. "Everyone nominated demonstrates their love for Porirua and its people through their ongoing commitment - they show innovation, effectiveness, perseverance, impact and activity within our communities," he said. Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Porirua over the previous 12 months. "These groups deserve recognition for the amazing and selfless work they do in the community. Congratulations to all nominees and winners, and best of luck for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year."
