We asked our Member Organisation Coordinators to nominate volunteers who go above and beyond through their passion and commitment to their local NS community. We then selected one per week in June to give a special shout-out to on our website, social media and Hapori (newsletter); we also sent a thank you gift for their contributions on behalf of NSNZ.

Lois

Week One – Lois from Selwyn

“Lois has been a member of the local Lincoln Community Response Team (CRT) for the last 10 years and is very active in supporting her community in all sorts of roles. She is also always there helping when the CRT responds to emergency events. She has helped open and run evacuation centres for people impacted by flooding and wildfires on several occasions. She attends every CRT monthly meeting and recently came up with an initiative to promote joining our Neighbourhood Support by holding Saturday morning promotional events outside coffee shops. Lois works tirelessly for her local community.” – Sue Jenkins, Selwyn District Council NS & Emergency Management

Grant and Pam

Week Two – Grant and Pam from Te Awamutu

“Grant and Pam are farmers in a rural community that have been proactive against crime in their area. They have a first aid team in the community, equipped with a defibrillator, that is readily accessible to all neighbours if required. They volunteer all over the community, including monitoring an area of DOC land. Together, they manage a database that connects local residents, including the school and the surrounding rural community. Grant and Pam are closely connected with the local Police and CommSafe. When they’re aware of any crime in the area, they help keep an eye on the community. They maintain an up-to-date contact list and are always ready to support others who need a hand. This dynamic duo is essential to the strength of this rural community, ensuring it remains resilient.” – Mandy Merson, CommSafe

David

Week Three – David from Taupō

“David keeps an eye on everyone’s properties while working in his garage and makes a point to greet neighbours as they come and go. He has been active in creating a neighbourhood fishing club, organising fishing trips and as a street group they pool funds to make annual donations to local charities. As well as hosting street parties at his home, David goes above and beyond the normal duties of a street group coordinator, driving people to appointments at Rotorua Hospital (an hour or so away) and has delivered library books to those stuck at home. He has helped out numerous other charities in the community as well as Neighbourhood Support. David is an iconic personality in his street and an all-round community champion.” – Alivia Roberts, Neighbourhood Support Taupō

Shirley

Week Four – Shirley from Taranaki

“Shirley is one amazing lady, she lives in Kaponga, Taranaki and for over 10 years she has been personally visiting everyone who moves into the small rural town to sign them up to be part of the Kaponga NS group. This isn’t a small feat for Shirley, she suffered from Polio as a child and unfortunately lost both her legs and is confined to a wheelchair. She doesn’t drive so all her volunteer work for the community is completed in her wheelchair. Shirley has recently given up this community role in June due to her health deteriorating.” – Di Gleeson, Central Taranaki Safe Community Trust

Congratulations to all the amazing volunteers!