TECT Community Awards: locals seeking recognition

March 3 is the last day to vote for the People’s Choice in this year’s TECT Community Awards.

Te Puke district is well represented in this year’s awards with one finalist in the Event Excellence, Sustainable Future and Volunteer of the Year awards and two in the Youth Spirit Award.

“The public can vote online for their favorite finalist; whether it’s a community group that helped them personally or a volunteer they know who deserves some recognition,” said Laura Thomson. -Bache, Head of Marketing and Communications at TECT.

“The votes are coming in fast, and it’s fantastic to see the community engaging with the awards.”

To vote for the People’s Choice Award, go to tect.org.nz/peoples-choice-award/.

Originally scheduled for Baycourt on March 17, Covid-19 Shield Framework restrictions mean it has moved to an online-only event.

All finalists are currently featured on the awards Facebook page, website and Instagram account.

“It’s great that we can still share the incredible work being done in our region by such a wide range of volunteers, youth and community groups, and we hope the community enjoys being a part of it by watching online,” Thomson said. -Tarpaulin.

A finalist video is posted each weekday until March 11.

There are six prize categories and a winner will be announced each weekday starting March 17.

Finalists from Te Puke District
Event Excellence Award

Te Kete O Matariki

Te Kete O Matariki was a fantastic celebration that showcased some of the amazing mahi that happens in our community and educated the community on the importance of Matariki.

Community groups engaged through fundraising stalls, providing Maori kai, local Maori health services were on hand, and there was even an interactive carving demonstration.

There was an incredible turnout from Kahui Ako o Te Puke, early childhood centers and school groups performing the kapa haka, which drew large crowds of spectators. Many teachers also participated in kite-making and poi-making workshops. Then live music kept the community entertained late into the evening.

■ Other finalists: Bay of Plenty Garden and Art Festival, He Iwi Kotahi Tauranga Moana Charitable Trust – Waitangi Day Celebrations, National Jazz Festival, Tauranga Multicultural Festival.

Sustainable Future Award

Maketū Ōngātoro Wetlands Society

Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society (MOWS) is a community-based conservation group working as a social enterprise, which seeks to protect and restore the Mauritian and indigenous biodiversity of the lower Kaituna River, Maketū Port, Waihī Port and the surroundings.

With a focus on wetlands and coastal environments, the group does a wide range of mahi, from monitoring to weed control, pest control and planting, education and advocacy.

From an environmental point of view, the results are something to be proud of. Maketū is an Important Bird Area, with survey work indicating that it is one of only two sites on the North Island to have a growing population of red-billed gulls.

If you visit Maketū anytime soon, you’ll be treated to a colony of around 10,000 birds. Part of this success can be attributed to the many hours of care and perseverance shown by the MOWS team and volunteers.

■ Other finalists: Envirohub Bay of Plenty, Friends of the Blade, PiPS – People, Plants, School, Youth Search and Rescue Trust.

Youth Spirit Award

Kim Kaour

Kim, who left Te Puke Secondary School last year, has done an exceptional amount of volunteer work, both within the school and in the community. She is a member of the student volunteer army and has done more than 500 hours of volunteer work.

She is the Global Ambassador based in Western Bay of Plenty and Tauranga, she helps with the SEVA service at Te Puke Sikh Temple every Saturday which includes preparing food for around 200 people and cleaning, and she is part of the WBOPDC’s Teen Advisory Board, helping give young people a voice on issues of interest, including how to engage teens in the library.

At school, she again volunteered countless hours of service to the school community as a cultural leader, serving on the House Committee, Indian Student Council and Environmental Committee, and volunteering for helping junior students read through the Aim High Reading program. She has also been a Rotary Cup and Premier Service Award winner for Service Before Self for the past two years.

Quinn Boyle

Quinn Boyle, 16, has made significant contributions to the community through her many volunteer roles and fundraising efforts. Quinn is a wetsuit-free solo ultra-marathon open water swimmer and swims to raise money for charities in need.

He swam more than 150 km in total. Locally, this year alone, he has donated over $3,000 to Ōtamarākau School, Westpac Helicopter Trust, Community Red Cross, Cancer Society and White Island Victims.

Quinn has volunteered at local schools in Bay of Plenty, Paengaroa and Ōtamarākau Primary, taking swimming lessons, coaching sports teams and supporting tamariki in their reading. He recently wrote and donated a book for all local primary schools to enjoy.

Quinn is a member and volunteer surf lifeguard, patrolling and fundraising for the Pukehina Surf Rescue Club. On weekends, he spends time planting coastal protection plants, building nesting areas for the protection of native birds, and picking up trash in the sand dunes along Western Bay beaches.

During the lockdown, Quinn helped deliver food and clothing packages to needy whānau in her local neighborhood.

■ Other finalists: Kororia Solomon, Ryan Kayser, Shuari Naidoo.

Volunteer of the year

Andrew McDowell

Andrew leads the four volunteer lifeguard patrols in his role as Pukehina Surf Rescue Lifeguard Coordinator. He is responsible for organizing Pukehina Surf Rescue Club’s 60 lifeguards, ensuring they are properly qualified each year, often encouraging others to take on their next skill-building challenge.

As an SLSNZ Peer Supporter, he works confidently in the Bay of Plenty to help people after tragic events/rescues. Andrew is also a regional club auditor, president of the Pukehina Surf Club construction team, club coach and a member of the regional lifeguard committee. His professionalism is second to none and he is always friendly and very successful in helping people.

Andy volunteers 1500 hours every year and is very active in the community organizing the Anzac Memorial event for Pukehina, supporting local youth and people in general.

■ Other finalists: Bill Webb, David Walker, Maureen Paterson, Rodney Landrebe.

Diversity and Inclusion Award

English-speaking partners Bay of Plenty, Pacific Island Community (Tauranga) Trust, RainbowYOUTH, StarJam, Tauranga Riding for the Disabled.

Community Heart Award

Alzheimer’s Society Tauranga, Good Neighbor Projects Team, Homes of Hope Charitable Trust, Western Bay Heritage Trust, YWAM Ships Aotearoa – Trinity Koha Dental Clinic.