Three local identities who have worked tirelessly for the community have been honoured for their long service at Papakura Local Board’s volunteer awards ceremony.
Lance Watene has been involved in the community for many years. He’s well-known across several sporting codes, particularly as chair of Papakura Netball and for being integral in establishing Counties Manukau Māori Netball, at Counties Touch as a board member and volunteer, and at Bears Sports, especially around basketball.
Jan Piahana has long been involved in Māori and community development through Papakura Marae, Māori Wardens, church and in previous Auckland Council roles. Currently a marae committee member, she’s served as a school trustee and chair, and is respected for her knowledge of grassroots networks, often volunteering in sensitive areas.
Drury Community Group chair Riet van der Gulik helps organise Anzac Day, contributes to the Drury newsletter, acts as a link with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and other groups - organising community meetings around development. She managed the Cenotaph refurbishment, chairs the indoor bowls club and organises the annual Christmas community get-togethers.
Board chair Brent Catchpole says the awards recognise volunteers’ selfless works. “Volunteers are the silent workforce, diligently beavering away at things they have a passion for. That in turn makes our community rich and diverse, a place where people want to live.”
Recipients
Disaster Response: Kootuitui ki Papakura, Ngāti Tamaoho Trust, Papakura Māori Wardens, Papakura Marae, Myra Huirama and Iritania Thompson for SAMOM (Smiths Ave Mind Over Matter), Supreme Sikh Society.
Young person making a difference: Harit Patel, Kritika Selech.
Sports: Annie Hukiavave and Mere Taraare (Ardmore Netball), Jaanveer Kaur (Sikh Society), Eric Sila and Rob Ward (Papakura Athletics), Rob La Trobe and Simon Toby (Bear Sports - basketball).
Arts: Christine Smith, Ida White and Denise Wiki (Whiri Aroha).
Environment: KiwiOra Community Trust, Robyn Hoffman (Real World Living), Sustainable Papakura and members Rhonda Andrew, Joy Bower, Colleen de Lautour, Robyn Tyer, Jill Yellowlees.
Community service - local heroes: Mark Carter, Damon and Connor Ngawati, Waihou Pihana, Tamana Tairakena (Kootuitui ki Papakura), Kura Cares Trust, Ngāti Tamaoho Trust, Hardeep Singh and Sukhjap Singh (Sikh Society), Mandeep Kaur Minhas, Renu Sikka (Our Story On Plate), Glen Torrens (Papakura Crimewatch), Kevin Bromwich and Marie Brothers (Papakura Lions), Papakura Marae and Life Community Church (community dinner), Claire Schoeller (Papakura Network steering committee), Kathie Lee (Red Hill Community Centre), Paula Unger, Jenny Brooks, Patrick O’Dea, Avinesh Prakash and family, Joe and Wikitoria Waaka-Iraia, Anne Boergers (Rollerson Park Community Garden), SAMOM Trust, Sarah and Daniel Tonga (Calvary Church), Te Atawhai O Manukanuka (Māori Women's Welfare League), Graham and Deb Marshall (Waiata Shores Community Garden).
Long service: Lance Watene, Jan Piahana, Riet van der Gulik.
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