Last week, community volunteer work across Waitematā was celebrated during Waitematā Local Board’s 2021 Good Citizens’ Awards.
Children and youth, individuals, and community groups received awards recognising their contribution to the Waitematā local board area.
A special award was given to Aroha Hawke and her late husband Bob Hawke for their long service to the city centre community.
The ceremony, held online due to COVID-19 restrictions, was opened and closed with a karakia from Tama Davis of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and emceed by board member Adriana Avendaño Christie.
Waitematā Local Board chair Richard Northey says the board’s Good Citizens’ Awards are about acknowledging people and groups who stand out for the voluntary work they do in the local board area.
“Our Good Citizens’ Awards is one of the board’s favourite events because it gives us the opportunity to show the volunteers in our communities how much we appreciate their efforts, commitment, and the sacrifice they make to create a better Waitematā.
“The work of volunteers in our community can sometimes go unnoticed. But at our awards ceremony, it’s all about them and the great contributions they have made to the area during the past year.
“It's about giving back to those who have given so much. The stories behind our award recipients are truly amazing – we are very privileged to have such fantastic individuals and groups in our communities achieving incredible outcomes.
“We also thank those who took the time to make nominations. Without community members coming forward to acknowledge the importance of the work others are doing, there would be no awards ceremony.
“Both our recipients and nominators reflect the diverse communities that make up Waitematā. They demonstrate that diversity is both an asset and a strength to our local board area, and we’re very pleased to recognise this through our Good Citizens' Awards,” he said.
The local board introduced its Good Citizens’ Awards in 2013 and have run the event biennially since then.
A morning tea with board members and recipients will be held when Tāmaki Makaurau moves into Green under the Covid-19 Protection Framework.
Watch the online awards ceremony on the Auckland Council YouTube channel.
Congratulations to everyone who was recognised on the night and thank you for the great work that you do for our communities.
Children & Young People Award
- Nitya Jaiswal
- Vira Paky
- Vivien Whyte
- Ishie Sharma
Community Group Award
- Deaf Wellbeing Society Volunteers
- Authenticity Aotearoa
- The Good Deed Group
- Sunday Blessings
- Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Taumata Kaumātua
- The Wild Initiative
- Auckland City Centre Residents Group
- City Centre Market
Individual Award
- Peter McIntyre
- Ram Singh Spall
- Kate O’Neill
- Robert Antony
- Helen Loveday
- Ashleigh and Bill Kearsley
- Noelene Buckland
- Boopsie Maran
- Mark van Kaathoven
- Susan Elliott
Special Award for Long Service to the Community
- Aroha Hawke and her late husband Bob Hawke
