Hastings volunteers celebrated

Rana Tama Te Rangi Huata knwas given an individual award for Arts and Culture at Hastings Civic Honours Awards/Photo Warren Buckland

A crowd of more than 200 people gathered to celebrate Hastings volunteers on Wednesday night for the annual Civic Honours Awards.

Ngahiwi Tomoana, Chairman of Ngāti Kahungunu attended as the guest of honour and Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, who hosted the evening, said the efforts of those who "give so selflessly to our community" should be celebrated.

"Volunteers are at the heart of our community – dedicating a tremendous amount of time and energy to help make Hastings a better place to live, work and play," she said.

"These awards allow us to show how much we appreciate and thank our outstanding Hastings people, who have put their own lives on hold so they can serve others and make a positive difference to the lives of our people."

This year, 12 people involved in a range of fields received a number of different awards to recognise the strong contribution they made to the Hawke's Bay community.

A Hastings Civic Honour Award was the highest accolade Hastings District Council is able to bestow.

"In their 30th year, the awards are a very fitting way to "shine a well-deserved light" on the important work that volunteers do; "work that really does keep the wheels of our district turning".

"We want everyone to know how much we value our volunteers and the difference they make to our community. For some people volunteering is about giving. But for many people it is a way of living, so thank you to all our recipients."

Rana Tama Te Rangi Huata received the individual award for Arts & Culture as he volunteered on a number of boards and committees including Arts Inc Heretaunga and Ngā Toi Hawke's Bay.

The event he was best known for was the annual Fiesta of Lights, which he started with his brother Tama Hauta, in Hastings in 1998 to build pride and community spirit.

Other awards included Health & Welfare, which went to Eric (Donald) Trask, who dedicated his time to serving as an elder within his church. He was also involved in a number of other voluntary roles across the community.

Fae Louise was given the award for Health & Welfare after helping the elderly in Flaxmere. Her worked included taking them to medical appointments, cooking and delivering meals to people who were unwell at her own expense.