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Waikato District Council - Te Kaunihera aa Takiwaa o Waikato

Mayoral Awards 2025

Mayor Jacqui Church’s annual community awards were handed out on Monday, 9 June 2025.

Congratulations to all the recipients.

  • Group photo of our Mayoral Awards 2025 winners

    Group photo of our Mayoral Awards 2025 winners

1 of 20

Award recipients

Select a name to learn more.

 

Awaroa–Maramarua general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Peter Thomson​

  • Volunteer at Otaua School​
  • Environmental and conservation work​
  • Passionate and extremely knowledgeable.
Waerenga–Whitikahu general ward​

Nominated by: Te Kauwhata Community Committee​

  • Long-term volunteer with the Te Kauwhata Community House, St Margarets Church, Waerenga War Memorial Church, and Aparangi Care Unit.​
  • Well-respected in the community.

Tamahere-Woodlands general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Mike Keir​

  • ​Strong advocate for the Tamahere community for over 40 years​
  • Joined the current Tamahere Community Committee 15 years ago and has made a great impact​
  • On-going lobbying for local community causes​.



Western Districts general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Carolyn Eyre​

  • Joy Milne, Vianne Friskney, Kopa Nanai, Richard Clark, Jannie Visser, and Karen Wicks​
  • Continue dedication of their time, effort, and resources for the reserve​
  • A truly committed group who continues to restore and maintain the garden for the public​,


Newcastle-Ngāruawāhia general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Janet Gibb​

  • Founder of the highly successful pest and predator eradication programme in Te Kowhai​
  • Craig leads a group of 10 volunteers and has led the programme for over 20 years​
  • The success of the programme is reflected in the increased presence of native birds​.
Tuakau–Pōkeno general ward​

Nominated by: Mayor Jacqui Church​

  • Highly respected and compassionate local in Tuakau​
  • Donated an ambulance to Te Kauwhata St John in memory of her son Daniel​
  • Servicing local towns throughout the Waikato district.
Tuakau–Pōkeno general ward​

Nominated by: Tuakau Community Board​

  • Influential community member​
  • Active in the Tuakau emergency response team​
  • Passionate about local projects for Tuakau and surrounding areas.
Tamahere-Woodlands general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Crystal Beavis​

  • Highly involved with the Eureka community for over 20 years​
  • Gayle has been a part of the Eureka express newspaper for nearly two decades​
  • Both have served on the Eureka hall committee for many years.​
  • Regularly involved with the ANZAC memorial.
Waerenga–Whitikahu general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Marlene Raumati​

  • Highly respected within the Waerenga, Te Kauwhata, and Rangiriri communities​
  • Committed to supporting local fundraising events​
  • Passionate around the pursuit of success for tamariki (children).
Waerenga–Whitikahu general ward​

Nominated by: Meremere Community Committee​

  • ​Lifelong commitment to Meremere and the local community​
  • Managed the post office and supported the foodbank for many years​
  • Hands-on approach to supporting her community.
Huntly general ward​

Nominated by: Cr David Whyte​

  • Committed volunteer for Huntly​
  • Volunteer at North Waikato Transport Trust, Raahui Pookeka Community Centres Trust​
  • Valuable member of the repair cafe.
Tamahere-Woodlands general ward​

Nominated by: Tamahere Community Committee​

  • A foundation trustee of the Tamahere Mangaone Restoration Trust​
  • Spent more than two decades carrying out conservations work​
  • Volunteering and hugely active in the local community.
Huntly general ward​

Nominated by: Huntly Community Board​

  • Longstanding community involvement​
  • Ongoing service and sustainability advocacy​
  • Commitment to local education and the health of local whaanau and tamariki.


Newcastle–Ngāruawāhia general ward​

Nominated by: Taupiri Community Board​

  • Valuable community minded individual​
  • Committed to eradicating Woolly Nightshade – harmful vegetation​
  • Kirk is committed to looking after the Taupiri Community's fruit trees.
Tuakau–Pōkeno general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Kandi Ngataki​

  • Liam is the heart and soul of the Mercer committee​
  • Developed strong relationship with the community and manawhenua​
  • Ongoing support of local community initiatives.
Newcastle–Ngāruawāhia general ward​

Nominated by: Ngāruawāhia Community Board​

  • Long term dedication and service to Ngaaruawaahia​
  • A former fire chief and local hero​
  • Strong community involvement including St Pauls Primary school Board of Trustees.
Whāingaroa general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Lisa Thomson​

  • Raglan Community House Manager for nearly a decade​
  • Works tirelessly for the well-being of the whole community​
  • Unwavering commitment especially to the youth and those living through hardship.
Whāingaroa general ward​

Nominated by: Raglan Community Board​

  • A volunteer powerhouse in the Raglan community​
  • Secretary at Raglan RSA for nearly 15 years​
  • Heart of the Raglan ANZAC commemorations.
Tuakau–Pōkeno general ward​

Nominated by: Cr Vern Reeve​

  • Significant community figure for over 20 years​
  • Hard work, dedication, commitment ​
  • Has made a real tangible difference to his community – with many many projects! 
Western Districts general ward​

Nominated by: ​Rural Port Waikato Community Board​

  • Highly-valued achiever in the rural Port Waikato community​
  • Tirelessly helping with many community projects​
  • Assists in the community response centre.
​Tai Runga Takiwaa Maaori ward​

Nominated by: Cr Tilly Turner​

  • Shane was a well-respected Rangatira and Tohunga of the Waikato Iwi​
  • His worked covered many assets including designing the JMA's and the Iwi Accords with Prime Ministers​
  • Highly respected academic who completed his Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement.

Justice of the Peace recognition of long service

​Eileen Bateup - 28 years      ​

Shirley Boyde​ - 23 years

Roy Haar​ - 25 years

Wayne Morris​ - 30 years

Tom Mandeno​ - 32 years

Bruce Graham​ - 33 years

Michael Foster - 35 years

 

St John stations recognised for volunteer work

  • Raglan St John
  • Huntly St John
  • Te Kauwhata St John

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