Flaxmere unveils latest hero calendar stars

An official launch at Flaxmere's Te Aranga Marae last night celebrated the collection of community stalwarts selected for the Flaxmere Heroes 2012 Calendar.

The event, for the third calendar of its kind designed to promote positive projects in the community, was attended by more than 100 people.



Among the guests were the 12 heroes and their supporters, Hastings District Mayor Lawrence Yule and councillors, police officers, the calendar's sponsors and members of the public.

Flaxmere councillor Henare O'Keefe MCed the launch, and said hanging the calendar in pride of place would help reinforce the heroes' work.

"It's about celebrating Flaxmere, about celebrating the people whose exploits are often not trumpeted from the rooftops because they prefer it that way," he said.

"They are the glue that holds this community together, they are simply outstanding. Sure we have some issues, but guess what? We have the solutions as well."

Chairman of the U-Turn Trust, the group that put the calendar together, Rex Graham said it was a difficult task whittling potential heroes down to just 12.

"We were just overwhelmed by people that could have gone into the calendar," he said.

Last night, guests were entertained by the Flaxmere College Pasifika Group and the musical brilliance of Pirihana Prentice accompanied by his daughter and granddaughter.

War Veteran and June hero, Matiu Love, said he was "grateful" to the people of Flaxmere for the opportunity to represent the community he has lived in for more than 70 years.

The calendar will be distributed to more than 3000 homes and businesses in the suburb, and as well as a photo and a small story on each hero will this year feature a community directory.

The calendar is supported by the district council, Hawke's Bay District Health Board, Te Puni Kokiri, Totara Health, the U-Turn Trust, and local businesses.

Flaxmere Heroes 2012

January: Barney Huriwaka, 81, refused to leave the house his children grew up in after a vicious attack on his home.

February: Flaxmere Students Madison Crawford-Patoki, Charlesirene Kendrick, Mare Te Runa. Emmanuel Fuimaono, Yvonne Henare, Amy Stanley, Ailiyah Smiler-Ah Kioing, John Visesio, O'Shaarn Wainohu, and Mary-Ann Ione contribute academic, sporting, cultural and leadership successes.

March: Flaxmere Library staff Judith McKinnon, Esther Curtis, April Harward and Laurens Jeffery have created a vibrant and relevant community hub.

April: Candis Cardie has represented New Zealand in both touch rugby and netball.

May: Les Hokianga and the Hikoi 4 Life team, John Taiti and Paul Taiti advocates for healthy lifestyle changes.

June: War veteran Matiu Love who was just 17-years-old when he fought in the Maori Battalion.

July: Phil and Ros Horan are into their second generation of childcare at Te Whare O Nga Mokopuna Early Childhood Centre.

August: Musician, songwriter and trustee of several Maori organisations, Pirihana Prentice.

September: UK migrant and youth worker Rory McCullum.

October: Camberley community stalwarts Lisa and Stirling Halbert of Te Ora Hou.

November: Matriachs and patriachs of the community, the Swansea Village Residents.

December: Founder of multiple community organisations and events, Zack Makaora.