Hokianga hospital group wins award

A group which has spent almost 50 years fundraising for Hokianga Hospital has won this year's Far North Community Awards. PICTURE/FILE

A volunteer group which has raised large sums of money for almost 50 years to make sure a small rural hospital has the best equipment possible was named the supreme winner of last night's Far North Community Awards.

Just this year Hokianga Hospital Auxiliary Inc has raised $20,000 for a portable community bed, dressing trolleys and an oxygen concentrator. Previous projects include a $35,000 refurbishment of the maternity ward in Rawene to make giving birth in the Hokianga safer and more comfortable.

The winners of the 2015 awards, which are organised by Trustpower and the Far North District Council, were announced at the South Hokianga Memorial Hall in Opononi last night. More than 120 people, representing volunteer and community groups across the Far North, attended.

Trustpower community relations representative Jess Somerville said the winning group had stood by the Hokianga community for the past 48 years and ensured its medical needs were well catered for.

"There's an incredible story behind this auxiliary group and it's focused around a small but determined passionate team of volunteers. Over the years they've fundraised tirelessly to ensure their hospital is well resourced, not only for additional comforts for clients but essential equipment too."

Ms Somerville said the $20,000 raised in the past year might not sound much to the country's larger hospitals but for the Hokianga it was huge.

Hokianga Hospital Auxiliary took home $1500 in prize money and will represent the Far North at the national awards in Dunedin in March 2016. Last year's Far North winner, Focus Paihia, went on to win the national title. Sixty-five nominations were received for this year's awards.

FULL RESULTS

Supreme winner: Hokianga Hospital Auxiliary Inc.

Youth Spirit winner: Logan Alexander, Springbank School. Runner-up: Gabrielle Harris, Northland College. Finalists: Quinn Moffat, Taipa Area School; Grayson Javins, Kerikeri High School; Parehuia Tito-Paraone, Kaikohe Christian School.

Heritage and environment category: Mahinepua-Radar Hill Landcare Group. Runner-up: Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary. Commendation: Hokianga Historical Society.

Health and well-being: Hospice Mid Northland. Runner-up: The House of FINKK.

Arts and culture: Bay of Islands Arts Festival Trust for Upsurge 2015. Runner-up: Opononi and Omapere Ratepayers and Residents Association.

Sports and leisure (joint winners): Kawakawa Business and Community Association Pool Committee; Northland Mounted Games. Runner-up: North Hokianga Junior Sports Club. Commendations: Bay of Island Gymnastics Club; Bay of Islands Marine Radio Association.

Education: Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group. Runner-up: Infinite Scope Trust.