Susan Tukaki, known as Nan, a Pride of New Zealand Award recipient. Photo/Andrew Warner
Susan Tukaki, known as Nan, a Pride of New Zealand Award recipient. Photo/Andrew Warner
Four of the Western Bay of Plenty's community heroes are being recognised for their efforts, as regional finalists in this year's Pride of New Zealand Awards.
Katikati volunteer firefighter Craig Gray, Oropi bird lady Chrissy Jefferson, Te Puna Quarry Park founder Shirley Sparks and community advocate Susan Tukaki were yesterdayannounced as regional finalists up against unsung heroes from other parts of New Zealand.
The Pride of New Zealand Awards, sponsored by The New Zealand Herald, The Hits radio station and TSB Bank, celebrates those Kiwi volunteers, campaigners, fundraisers, care givers and heroic people who go above and beyond for others.
I just love what I'm doing. I enjoy seeing the results, seeing the kids happy and seeing them safe.
Katikati's Susan Tukaki - known as Nan to the neighbourhood - is a reluctant finalist.
Nominated for her selfless dedication and love for her community, Ms Tukaki is adamant there are other people more deserving than her - even though she has spent 18 years working for the community as a Maori warden and helping troubled youths.
"I just love what I'm doing. I enjoy seeing the results, seeing the kids happy and seeing them safe. That's all the recognition I need."
Her only wish is to see Katikati return to the safe town she grew up in. "I want that for the kids - for them to feel safe like when I was their age."
Mrs Jefferson said it was nice to be recognised for her 50 plus years of helping save and treat injured birds.
"There's people far more deserving than I am. With me, it's just a passion and I'll do it forever but to have been recognised because I've been doing it for so long is a real honour."
Chrissy Jefferson
Mrs Sparks, 85, said she was over the moon, but surprised, to be recognised for her work in establishing and maintaining the Te Puna Quarry park.
Twenty years ago, Mrs Sparks called a meeting among neighbours and began overhauling more than 32ha of scrub into what has now become the park.
Shirley Sparks
Mr Gray was nominated for his ongoing efforts and commitment in the Katikati volunteer fire brigade.
His nominator said if it was not for Mr Gray giving up his family time, "this brigade would be at a loss".
"He never asks for anything in return but keeps telling us guys to get the training in and has his heart on this station."
The regional judging panel was made up of Silver Fern netballer Maria Tutaia, ecostore founder Malcolm Rands, Hospice New Zealand chief executive officer Mary Schumacher, the Weekend Herald and Herald on Sunday editor Miriyana Alexander and The Hits announcer Polly Gillespie.
Judge and ecostore founder Malcolm Rands said: "One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a judge has been how inspirational these people are."
