Ana Apatu: Calendar heroes get to take a bow

Ana Apatu

The 2016 Flaxmere Heroes Calendar launch is a great success. Despite a typo discovered on the evening - signed off by the CEO (ahem) - the night was really magical. Originated in 2010, this simple but powerful annual event provides an opportunity to celebrate our local Flaxmere talent - our heroes. MC'd by Henare O'Keefe, there is standing room only in the Te Aranga wharenui. Traci Tuimaseve co-ordinates the images of calendar heroes.

We start with the January hero, the late Steve Ruru. There are tears from his family as Steve is acknowledged for his contribution with the building of Te Aranga Marae.

Our bikes in schools champion Paul McCardle has bikes in all four Flaxmere primary schools and in more than 40 schools nationally. As Paul describes - he has never met a child who does not want to learn to ride a bike. Brendon Lodge, our March hero, has been running events for Triathlon Hawkes Bay for more than four-and-a-half years. He organises the Flaxmere Community duathlon/challenge and the Flaxmere primary schools triathlon.

Isaia Jones in 2015 was a member of the New Zealand U17 Men's Basketball team and was a member of the New Zealand Basketball Academy that competed in Las Vegas. Isaia was top academic Hastings Boys' High Year 10.

Next heroine, Katherine Winitana, was stunning. Head girl of Hastings Girls' High School, Katherine played guitar and sang (a song she had composed) - you could have heard a pin drop. Her message - even though she is a gifted musician and head girl, she has had to work hard to achieve these things. Katherine plans to attend the New Zealand School of Music in 2016 to further her vocal and composition studies.

The Sukhwinder family, owners of Gagans fruit and vege shop Henderson Rd originally from Punjab, India, have lived in Flaxmere for 10 years. "We want to give the best produce at the lowest price so everyone can enjoy the benefits. If you have good health you have hope, if you have hope you have everything."

Richard Kettle, Birchleigh Polo Club, encourages young Flaxmere people to learn to play polo. He brings ambitions of creating a Flaxmere College Polo team, the first in the district.

We celebrate Flaxmere students. Flaxmere Primary student Eldius Oli strives hard with everything he does. Flaxmere College: Alosio "Sio" Seumanutafa, head boy, captain of the 1st XV rugby team (a fearsome runner with deft ball skills). Irongate School: Meiata Ngarangione is only one of two students to receive an honours badge in recognition of her leadership. Peterhead School: Elijah Mataira. A school prefect, Elijah is a mature, polite, respectful, confident and humble young man. His attitude towards his learning is impressive. Kimi Ora Community School: Ma'u Katoa Ma'u takes games for younger students and is quite often seen running around followed by lots of laughter and younger students. Ma'u is seen as a positive leader within the school. His behaviour is exemplary and he is totally focused on his learning.

Haminder Chahal is our Flaxmere New World operator/owner. Haminder says they have been privileged to operate the New World supermarket in Flaxmere for over nine years.

Tim Hutchins, Pacific Navigation Service and father of three, receives a cheer as he gets up to speak. Tim's proficiency in the Samoan language combined with his ability to relate to all cultures in an empathetic, humble caring manner has endeared him to the hearts of numerous families.

Kevin and Karen Bayley - Kevin describes to us how they started out with nothing as a "fruit hawker" buying first grade fruit off local fruit growers, and selling it off the back of his truck. They now run one of NZ's largest fruit and vege growing business.

Our final hero, Henry Heke, long time Flaxmere resident and stalwart. Henry is the founder of CrossFit kids in Hawke's Bay.

Finally, thanks to our sponsors Howard Dickson and Sandra Jessop of Totara Health, who fund the body of the calendar, and Hastings District Council who fund the health and social services directory attached to the calendar. But most of all - thanks to those past and present heroes that support the wellbeing of Flaxmere Paharakeke.

-Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere.