Nominations open for men of the year

MAN OF THE YEAR: Adrian Collier took out last year's top "Man of the Year" award. A former men’s centre client, he had the courage to “front up” to his own drug and violence problems very publicly by appearing on the Native Affairs television programme. He received a special korowai as part of the award. File picture by Rebecca Grunwell

THE Tairawhiti Men of the Year Awards are coming up and the call is going out for nominations for inspiring male role models in the community.

In its sixth year, the awards showcase and celebrate positive male role models in the Gisborne community.

Family Works Gisborne hosts the event on behalf of its service Tauawhi Men’s Centre. It is encouraging people to nominate men who they think should be acknowledged for their contribution to the community.

Guidelines for nominations include those who go the extra mile for their community; value children, young people and family/whanau; mentor and support other men; and are strong role models, investing time and energy to help others.

Family Works Gisborne service manager Alica Richardson-Marr says the event, on June 24, shows support for those making a positive difference.

“Family Works takes the opportunity to host this annual event to highlight the results of the work undertaken by Tauawhi Men’s Centre in supporting people to make changes in their lives, making such a positive difference that impacts in such a positive way for themselves, their partners, their children and their community. Everyone who attends really enjoys their evening with us.”

Guest speaker Henare O’KeefeAwards guest speaker is Henare O’Keefe, who has long been a campaigner against family and community violence, along with mentoring youth and helping the reintegration of prisoners.

He and wife Pam have fostered more than 200 children, many of whom have gone on to do great things, including world-renowned opera singer Phillip Rhodes.

In 2008 Mr O’Keefe led the Enough is Enough hikoi, which led to a number of community programmes combating violence throughout the country.

He received a Queen’s Service Medal in 2011 and was named New Zealand’s Community Hero of the Year in 2012.

He grew up in Ruatoria and is now a Hastings district councillor.

Tauawhi Men’s Centre coordinator Tim Marshall says: “The awards are a great opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate these men who are doing great things, and being such excellent champions.”

Last year was the “biggest ever” event, with 160 people attending.

The top award went to former men’s centre client Adrian Collier, who had the courage to publicly “front up” to his own drug and violence problems by appearing on the Native Affairs television programme.