2026 South Taranaki Community Awards

Raewyn Frederickson

Taranaki Coastal

Raewyn has volunteered in various roles in the Manaia community over the last decade. Raewyn has been a regular participant since Crop Swap began in 2016 and was soon organising the event which included the publicity of and setting up the event. The Manaia newsletter also began in 2016. Raewyn was involved in co-ordinating delivery people to get the newsletter to all of the homes in Manaia. Raewyn is a long time volunteer at the Hāwera hospice shop and also takes the donated dolls home where she tidies them up and makes clothes for them before returning them to the shop to sell. Raewyn is also involved in transporting locals to medical appointments and is a member of the Women’s Institute who create projects to donate to the community.

Maryanne Forsyth

Taranaki Coastal

(Award accepted on Maryanne's behalf by her husband, Allan)

Maryanne is a highly active and valued member of the Manaia community, generously giving her time across a wide range of local organisations. She is involved with the Manaia Community Garden, Manaia Walkway, Manaia Community Group and Community Patrol, helping to strengthen community connections and support local initiatives. In addition, she has contributed her time to St John and Victim Support, assisting people when they need it most. Alongside her husband, Maryanne also hosts an annual Halloween Charity Night at their property, creating a popular community event that raises funds and brings people together for a good cause.

Joshua Bond

Eltham-Kaponga

Joshua is a caring and community-minded volunteer who is always willing to lend a hand. He regularly supports the local foodbank by helping pack and deliver food parcels to those in need. Committed to keeping the town clean and welcoming, he can often be seen collecting rubbish while walking around the community. Joshua also dedicates significant time to supporting local young people, teaching basketball skills and taking youth on bike rides.

Hazel Robinson

Te Hāwera

Hazel has volunteered at the Hāwera Foodbank for more than 30 years, where she is known for her welcoming smile and firm approach. She also helps out at her church and regularly supports a stall at the Hāwera Saturday Market. Her homemade jams and pickles are well regarded by those who enjoy them.

Christopher Oliver

Te Hāwera

Chris Oliver has dedicated nearly 20 years of volunteer service to the Hāwera Hospice Shop and more than 20 years to Riding for the Disabled, including many years as committee chair. He restores donated furniture from the Hospice Shop and returns it for resale, helping raise valuable funds. His long-standing involvement with Riding for the Disabled has supported therapeutic horse-riding opportunities for people with physical and emotional challenges. Chris is also a driving force at his local bowling club, where he served as president for several years. Always willing to help without seeking recognition, he is widely respected by fellow volunteers for his quiet, reliable and selfless service to the Hāwera community.

Hauraki Erb

Te Hāwera

Hauraki has dedicated many years of voluntary service to the growth and development of basketball in Hāwera and throughout Taranaki. He is the current chairman of the Hāwera Basketball Association and also served on the committee for many years. He is a driving force behind the success of the organisation, volunteering countless hours and is a respected leader, mentor and coach. As a coach he travels to regional and national tournaments to provide opportunities for young people to compete, grow and succeed. Hauraki mentors young athletes, builds confidence, teaches resilience, teamwork and respect and creates positive pathways for rangatahi. He gives his time freely to players of all ages. His selfless commitment to serving others is done with humility, integrity and a genuine desire to help others succeed. Hauraki’s leadership, dedication and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on hundreds of players, families and volunteers throughout South Taranaki.

Donald Stockwell

Te Hāwera

Donald received two separate nominations for the 2026 Community Awards, both recognising his outstanding service to the South Taranaki District over many decades. His contributions include serving as President of Hāwera Old Boys Hockey and the Hāwera Aero Club, Scoutmaster with more than 50 years of service, member of the Mt Egmont Alpine Club for 62 years including 50 years in Search and Rescue, Chair of the Hāwera High School Board of Trustees and Centennial Committee, Justice of the Peace for 15 years, Business Mentor, IHC committee member and fundraiser, Freemasons officeholder, and member of the Hāwera Memorial Theatre Trust. Alongside his wife Judy, he also spent many years bringing joy to the community as Father Christmas. Modest and generous, Donald works quietly behind the scenes, speaks fluent Te Reo, has strong connections with iwi, and freely offers his time and expertise to others.

Jenny Meechin

Te Hāwera

Jenny has had a lifetime of commitment to the South Taranaki District community. She has been a member of the floral art group for over 30 years and provided stunning displays at Hāwera High School prizegiving’s and music awards for decades. Jenny also did 17 ANZAC wreaths every year and arrangements for the Ronald Hugh Morrison and Community Awards. She is involved in producing displays for Friends of the Park, the Rhododendron Festival and Arts in the Park, as well as being a staunch helper for the Leisure and Treasure section of the Egmont A&P show. Jenny was President of the Women’s Club for approximately 20 years. In her role as a paediatric district nurse, Jenny was often rung outside of working hours to help with injuries and is a true life saver.

Malcolm Hurley

Te Hāwera

Malcolm has been involved with the Egmont A&P Showgrounds for more than 20 years and now regularly supports the caretaker, generously giving his time and energy. He serves on the Executive Committee and is Patron of the Egmont A&P Association. His community service extends across many areas of South Taranaki life, including helping elderly residents with gardening, section maintenance and firewood. Malcolm was President of the Kaupokonui Beach Camp for 20 years, overseeing projects such as the bridge replacement, toilet upgrade and the planting of the Norfolk pines that still stand today, which he continues to tend each summer. He also volunteered as a Fish and Game Officer, ran fishing competitions and assisted with local fish hatcheries for more than 20 years. His involvement also includes the Alton Wrestling Club, Manaia Lions Club, Taranaki Rhododendron Festival, Ohawe Boating and Angling Club, and Coastguard Taranaki.

Summer Stewart-Heather

Te Hāwera

Summer was a veterinary nurse and uses her knowledge to foster homeless dogs and cats, including animals that need intensive care and rehabilitation before they can be rehomed. She has adopted several animals and trained a therapy dog; they visit community groups to bring joy and companionship. She has rehomed many dogs and is a foster carer for Animal Fostering Hub NZ and Taranaki Animal Protection Trust. Summer works extra hours to cover the costs of the homeless animals instead of asking others for support. She also organised “Beads of Bravery for Axton” who is fighting cancer.

Graeme Hughes

Pātea

Graeme is a local veterinarian who consistently goes above and beyond to support not only the animals in his care, but the people who dedicate their time to helping them. He is incredibly supportive of local animal rescuers, providing vaccinations, medications and treatment at little or no cost. He has opened his clinic outside of working hours to provide urgent care when it is needed. He has personally adopted dogs that have needed homes and refers potential adopters to help homeless dogs find loving homes. Graeme is a generous supporter of local fundraising efforts and has donated to local schools and kindergartens. Graeme’s compassion, generosity and dedication have had a lasting impact on our community.

Nick Williams

Pātea

Nick Williams is a tireless volunteer who makes a significant contribution to the Pātea community through his involvement with both the Pātea Rugby Club and Pātea Golf Club. He undertakes much of the work needed to keep the rugby grounds match-ready, including mowing, line marking and maintaining the clubrooms. At the golf club, he volunteers weekly to help maintain the greens and check on the welfare of the sheep. Nick has also contributed to the upkeep of local walkways, and his willingness to give his time and effort wherever needed is greatly valued by the community.

Jenny & Guy Oakley

Taranaki Coastal

Guy and Jenny Oakley have volunteered with the Taranaki Kiwi Trust and Taranaki Kōhanga Kiwi at the Rotokare project since 2019, contributing their time, equipment and donations. As accredited kiwi handlers, they assist with health checks, transmitter changes, translocations and public events. They have also transported injured kiwi to Wildbase, delivered eggs to hatcheries and volunteered to catch kiwi at Sanctuary Maungatautari. Both regularly attend committee meetings and functions and willingly help wherever needed. Jenny, a previous Community Award recipient in 2006, also contributes photography to kiwi projects and release events and provides valued support to team members during difficult times. Guy plays a key role in kiwi translocations, using his veterinary expertise to health check and treat kiwi. He has also trained other vets to continue this important conservation work.

Robert & Georgina Goble and Tyler Greenwood

Te Hāwera

The Goble/Greenwood whānau are an inspiring family team whose commitment to the Rotokare Project has seen them contribute hundreds of volunteer hours to conservation work. They regularly inspect and maintain kilometres of pest-proof fencing, check traps, clear vegetation and help maintain the pest-control buffer zone outside the sanctuary. The whānau also play an important role in kiwi translocations, locating kiwi with telemetry equipment and supporting catch teams. Georgina contributes as an education volunteer, sharing her knowledge of conservation, Rotokare and Te Ao Māori, while also helping maintain facilities. In just three months, the whānau contributed 83 volunteer days, making a significant contribution to Rotokare’s conservation and ecological restoration efforts.