Mayoral Awards 2024

Matua Rima is a pou in the community of Tuakau - respected by all and acknowledged through the wider communities and the district. 

He continues to lead by example being a role model for our tane and whaanau through running whaikorero and reo classes for the community. 

His contributions to the local kura and marae is so deserving of this award and recognition. 

Lockie has been involved with the Tauwhare Hall committee and community committee for many years. As committees have come and gone, Lockie has been a steady presence and has chaired the hall committee for a number of years including more than the past five.

He has put in countless volunteer hours drawing on his building experience and a wide skillset to contribute to and undertake repairs, maintenance and upgrades himself, long with numerous other tasks. 

The epitome of Lockie’s contribution has been his dedication to bringing the Tauwhare sculpture project to completion this year after it was first mooted by the community committee more than seven years ago.

He has sourced the materials, dealt with the permits and built it to the artist Marti Wong’s design, surprising and delighting the artist himself who thought the project had long since been forgotten.  

Without Lockie, Tauwhare would simply not have the stunning sculpture that represents the name and history of the area.

In Lockie’s own words: “This project will be my ultimate legacy which says, I did this and I was here.” 

(Award accepted on Jane’s behalf by her daughter Alex)

Jane is a member of the St Stephens Tamahere Anglican Church and was the initiator and foundation convener of the Tamahere Country Market (established October 2004).

Twenty years on she is still the main person running it with all profits going to the church and Anglican Action Mahi Mihinare Charitable Trust. 

An active member of the Tamahere Community Committee since 2017, Jane is also a member of the Tamahere-Woodlands Heritage Committee.  

Sarah is a quiet unsung community heroine of Raglan.

She has supported many initiatives and sports teams in our community. She manages Raglan Area School’s senior football team and has done so for at least the last seven years.

Coordinating comms out to the team, organising fundraising activities and helps coordinate five-a-side tournament participation.   

She also helps out when she can with ‘Feed the Kids’ on a Wednesday.  

Sarah also supports trips to writers’ festivals, school camps and many other activities across the community.  

This award is for a team that have been working together for the community since Rob McGuire was elected in 1983 as councillor for the then Waikato County Council. So it is with deep sadness that that on 18 September we learned that Rob had passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, aged 77. 

Rob and Jill Mc have been a team working for the community ever since Rob was elected in 1983 as Councillor. During his 39-year term, Rob chaired the first Waikato District Plan Review and represented the Council on the WRC central catchment committee and the Hauraki Gulf Forum. He established community committees to bolster the voice of local constituents and worked to extend the sealed roading network to improve living conditions.

Rob had on occasion called Jill his unpaid PA, helping deliver notices to countless letter boxes and taking endless phone messages. But Jill has also worked independently for the community as bookings administrator for the Puketaha Hall and as a long-standing member of the committee that produces and distributes the Eureka Express monthly news. She has formerly served on the Puketaha School PTA and Board of Trustees, and has also formerly served as President of the Puketaha Country Women’s Institute and Gordonton Playcentre. 

Glennis is a rock in the Port Waikato community. She has volunteered endlessly for Pink Breakfasts and Art @ the Port events.

She is the driving force behind the local rag "The Port Report" as not only the editor for years but reporter and delivery lady. Glennis updates the local Notice Board, collates and publishes information about Port Waikato history.

(Award accepted on Allen’s behalf by his daughter Suzanne)

Allen has worked tirelessly for the Pookeno community with his leadership and organisational skills.  

He is the current Chair of the Pookeno Community Committee and has been instrumental in the successful execution of key events like the Pookeno Christmas Parade, Pookeno Fun Run, and community open day.

Allen represents Pookeno residents at Council meetings ensuring their voice is heard on matters which impact them, such as Pookeno Realm, Pookeno Hub, Munro Sports Park and the main street upgrade.  

Ann and Jock have given years of service to the Onewhero Community. Ann has served many years on community boards, school boards, hall committees, rugby clubs and residents and rate payers’ groups over the years. Jock is a retired farmer and has served also on many community committees, is a long-standing local fireman and current Justice of the Peace. 

Sandy (Mr Mac) has done a lot for the Ngaaruawaahia community.  He has managed and archived a lot of photographic history for schools, clubs and events.  He is a legend in the community.  He has a beautiful wairua and his volunteering services have been greatly appreciated. 

Lauren has been a committed community volunteer, actively contributing to both the community committee and community development committee. 

Lauren has achieved significant funding for our community events and projects, in her role as treasurer of the development committee.  

She's one of those key people in the background that keeps the community together but never expects anything in return. 

Ian Wallace retires from the chairmanship of the Maatangi Hall this year after chairing the committee for the past 15 years. 

He has also served for many years as a former member of the Maatangi community committee, and he is still a serving member of the Matangi Drainage Board – one of the last volunteer drainage boards left in the district. 

Ian leaves the hall in very good condition (with a new roof) and with a steady number of bookings. 

Doug has persevered for many years with his dream of Tuakau having a Men’s Shed and has now seen that come to fruition with it now operating from Tuakau Emergency Services Charitable Trust House for over a year now, having some 20-plus members who contribute to and complete community projects. 

Colleen has been involved for many years in the Tuakau Community.  She was a valued member of the Tuakau District Development Association and heavily involved with the Tuakau Christmas Parade organisation. 

She is an active member of the Hei Tiaki, a volunteer for the support group’s free lunches for the elderly and is always there to help when needed. 

She is selfless and ensures others in the community are cared for, before herself. 

Sue has been an extraordinary community volunteer for well over a decade here in Te Kauwhata.  She is industrious and integrous with a strong sense of community, loyalty, extending well into her justice of the peace work.  

Mike is a community man at heart.

He’s been a long-standing member of the Te Kauwhata Volunteer Fire Brigade.  

He has been a trustee of Te Kauwhata College and the chair of trustees. 

Mike oversees the Te Kauwhata water system which takes water from the river and supplies WDC who treat the potable water for Te Kauwhata and also supply Spring Hill Correctional Facility their water requirements. 

He is a great contributor to Te Kauwhata in many ways and is well known for his contribution of time and skills. 

Long-standing community resident of Taupiri, Herbie has always donated his time to assist all facets of the community. 

As school groundsman for many many years,  he has always been happy to use his initiative to tackle any jobs saving the Council valuable time and resources. 

A pleasant and jovial character he would help anyone in need and is a real stalwart of the community. 

Alex Lambie currently uses his mobility scooter to still be involved in the community.  

For many years he has regularly travelled around Taupiri village streets collecting rubbish strewn around. Weather permitting, he is out for a couple of hours each time. He and his wife Raewyn are community oriented with her volunteering every week at the St John’s Opportunity Shop in Huntly.  

Gus serves as a delivery and pick-up driver St Johns Shop, and is a volunteer driver Huntly Community Shuttle. 

He has 50 years’ service Huntly Volunteer Fire Brigade and his heavily involved with the welfare side at Huntly RSA. 

Colleen has been an integral part of Huntly Ladies Allsortz. This organisation raises funds for numerous cancer related organisations, including Waikato Cancer Society, Prostate Foundation, Canteen, Melanoma NZ, North Waikato Trust. Hospice, Leukaemia and Blood Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Starship Foundation and they have raised about $100,000 since 2007.  

She has been organising the Pink Walk in Huntly for a similar length of time. This is a very well attended event that raises funds for Breast Cancer Research.

The wonderful thing about her work is that it not only raises funds, but also brings the community together. 

Bianca (Bee) has made exceptional contributions to the Raahui Pookeka (Huntly) community. She has consistently gone above and beyond to support and uplift whanau, demonstrating a deep commitment to the wellbeing and development of the town.

Her involvement in numerous community projects and her ability to bring people together, coupled with her passion, energy and unwavering dedication to Raahui Pookeka have had a lasting impact in her community.  

The brigade has been running for 84 years and has 40 members.

They describe themselves as a dedicated hard-working bunch.

A representative from Whitikahu Volunteer Fire Brigade was unfortunately unable to attend the awards.

The brigade was formed in 1981, originally to service the Wood Mill located on Orini Road, but is are now an urban brigade attending approximately 70 calls a year with 12 operational members. 

The brigade started in 1997 and are a diverse crew in nationality and gender. 

The excellent crew work well together and strive to achieve all their qualifications.

 The brigade has been operating for 70 years.

There are 26 members and they describe themselves as a very happy and polished brigade with some very longstanding members.

They attend approximately 110 call out events per year. 

The brigade is 100 years old this year. There are 26 members and respond to around 350 to 400 calls per year ranging from fires, medical emergencies, car accidents, river rescue, hazardous substance calls and wild fires. 

What makes the brigade unique is the equipment and staff willingness to reach far afield, the brigade has played a considerable role responding to major incidents beyond the local area like: Cyclone Gabrielle; Matakana wild fires; Waikeria prison fire and Edgecombe floods. 

The focus is to deliver a service to the communities keeping them safe and focusing on the best outcome we can deliver. 
Looking after staff is a priority as the callouts place huge pressure and stress on families and individuals. The brigade is proud of its community, and this is what drives members to be a firefighter. 

The brigade was established in 1959. It has 36 members.

It contains a unique, and diverse group of members with varying age, gender, experience, and skill sets, who are enthusiastic and keen to support the community and fellow brigade members. 

The Mangatangi brigade has been operating for 52 years.

There are 15 operational members and 1 operational support. 

Mangatangi is a small rural based brigade, with a pump rescue tender and a medical response vehicle, attending approximately 100 calls per year, mostly in and around the surrounding areas. 

The brigade has been operating since 1990, This is when the station was moved to its current site.

Previously it was at the Maramarua timber mill and was an industrial brigade protecting the Mill and Mill houses as well as the community. This was established mid-1950s. 

There are 22 members in the brigade. The crew is a group of very different individuals who have come together to help the wider community.

The brigade celebrates 40 years in February 2025. 

There are 24 members, of which 16 are operational. 

It’s a friendly, down-to-earth brigade always ready to help their community and always welcoming new members. 

The Pookeno brigade was created in 2021 after moving into the brand new facility from Mercer. The Mercer brigade began in 1965. 

There are 16 operational crew. 

The brigade is a tight-knit group of volunteers attending approximately 300 callouts a year to a wide variety of incidents. 

The Tuakau brigade has been operating for 82 years.

There are 26 members at present. 

The brigade has a strong commitment and support  to the community and surrounding districts. 

The brigade was been operating for 48 years. 

It has 15 members.

Although it is a small brigade, it is committed to serving its community.