Conservationist Steve Sawyer is one of five Tairāwhiti people named as Tower Local Hero Medallists as part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. Photo / Supplied
Conservationist Steve Sawyer is one of five Tairāwhiti people named as Tower Local Hero Medallists as part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. Photo / Supplied
The New Zealander of the Year Awards office has announced the 100 Tower Local Hero Medallists for 2026, and five of them are from Tairāwhiti.
“Each of them is a force for good in their community,” a statement on the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards website said.
“Withconviction, compassion and courage, they drive real change – improving lives, strengthening connections and inspiring others to do the same.
“Together, they show the best of Aotearoa in action.”
The 100 medallists were selected from “an incredible number of submissions”.
The 44-strong panel of Local Hero judges included Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz and Turanga FM radio station manager Matai Smith.
The medallists are in the running for the 2026 Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year award Te Pou Toko o te Tau.
Semifinalists for the Local Hero award and the six other New Zealander of the Year award categories will be announced on December 11, and finalists will be revealed on February 26.
The winners will be celebrated at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala on March 19.
The Gisborne-Tairāwhiti Local Hero Medallists are:
Hans van Kregten. Photo / Supplied
Hans van Kregten
Hans van Kregten has dedicated more than 30 years to strengthening cultural inclusion and social cohesion. A founder and vice-president of the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council (TMC), Hans has been a driving force in creating a district where newcomers feel welcomed, valued and supported. Under his steady leadership, TMC has grown from a small initiative into a trusted institution that provides a voice for migrant and refugee communities, advocates for equitable services and helps residents connect across cultures. Van Kregten’s impact reaches well beyond governance. He has championed access to culturally responsive healthcare, built partnerships between migrant families and local services, and organised festivals, welcome events and intercultural dialogues that foster trust and belonging.
Kathleen Labrado. Photo / Supplied
Kathleen Labrado
Kathleen Labrado, secretary of the Gisborne Filipino Community Inc, is a tireless advocate for multicultural harmony and social inclusion. A dedicated career nurse, she brings the same compassion and commitment to her community work as she does to her patients, improving both health outcomes and community wellbeing. Over the past year, Labrado’s leadership has revitalised the Filipino community’s sense of identity and cohesion, fostering cultural pride and a strong sense of belonging.
Philip Reid. Photo / Supplied
Philip Reid
Philip Reid is a much-loved community stalwart in Te Araroa, Matakaoa, whose generosity and dedication have uplifted generations. Reid is semi-retired and keeps himself busy as a school bus driver and part-time school cleaner. He has always served the community with humility and a kind heart. A talented musician and singer, he became a source of comfort during the Covid-19 pandemic by launching a weekly request evening to keep people connected and lift spirits in uncertain times – a tradition that continues today.
Reweti Ropiha. Photo / Strike Photography
Reweti Ropiha
Reweti Ropiha MNZM, chief executive of Turanga Health, has devoted the last three decades to the health and wellbeing of the vulnerable people within his community. Initially focused on mental health, he expanded his efforts to encompass the full spectrum of primary healthcare needs. His recent achievements are marked by his innovative approach to identifying and filling gaps in primary healthcare provision. Ropiha ensures that comprehensive health checks, including eyes, ears, dental, cardiac and diabetes, are accessible to all in the community, regardless of their backgrounds.
Steve Sawyer. Photo / Gisborne Herald
Steve Sawyer
Steve Sawyer is a hands-on conservationist whose decades of experience in species recovery and ecosystem restoration have transformed landscapes and inspired communities across the East Coast and beyond. Together with wife Robyn Wilkie, he runs Ecoworks New Zealand, advising everyone from school students to port companies on how to protect native species and restore habitats. Sawyer has played a key role in milestone projects, including the return of kiwi and tuatara to the East Coast, the re-establishment of rare seabird species in Hawaii, Fiji and Te Kurī-Young Nick’s Head, and the creation of the Motu Kiwi Kohanga.
