Veteran lifeguard and Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club captain Shaun Smith has been named a Local Hero. Photo/File
Veteran lifeguard and Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club captain Shaun Smith has been named a Local Hero. Photo/File
A lifeguard, sailor, keen recycler, and search and rescue whiz are among a group of Tauranga men and women formally honoured in this year's New Zealander of the Year awards.
The group of 10 have been named as Local Heroes and will each receive a medal early next month. Theaward, part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, aims to identify and reward everyday people doing extraordinary things in their communities. It recognises the enormous contribution, sacrifice and commitment of Kiwis working selflessly work to make their communities a better place.
Olympian and Team New Zealand captain Peter Burling and veteran Papamoa lifeguard Shaun Smith were among those people nominated.
Mr Smith has spent nearly 40 years saving people in the surf and training up-and-coming athletes. His dedication to helping the community was evident in the response to learning he had been nominated as a Local Hero.
"It doesn't really worry me too much. You just do it for the fun and for the people, and the community," he said.
Chairman of Community Recycling Network Aotearoa and director at Waste Watchers Marty Hoffart has been recognised for his efforts at ecouraging children good recycling habits Photo/file
For Mr Smith, his biggest reward was seeing the young children he taught basic skills to grow up to become national athletes, have families and settle down as well-adjusted adults.
"You don't expect to get anything out of it. You do it to see the kids grow and learn, then grow up and become part of the community."
Marty Hoffart's efforts to inspire and encourage recycling habits in children for his not-for-profit group Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust ensured recycling bins were installed in every Tauranga school and helped reduced waste by 70 per cent.
But Mr Hoffart was not expected to be recognised as a hero.
"I had to ask a couple of workmates (when I got the email) about it. I thought it was spam."
Mr Hoffart was humbled and honoured but a little reluctant to receive the title.
"There are so many other people more deserving than me. All of those people who volunteer at the food bank, and in the second-hand shops like the Waipuna Hospice," he said.
"It's a real honour. I just need to get my head around it."
Each person will be honoured with a medal at a ceremony held early next month.
Regional winners throughout New Zealand will go into a pool to determine one national winner in February.
Tarnished Frocks and Divas producer Denny Spee has been named a Local Hero for Tauranga. Photo/File
