Manga Tangaroa Aperahama-Kopa shows his Far North District Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award to son Manga and wife Clara.
Manga Tangaroa Aperahama-Kopa shows his Far North District Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award to son Manga and wife Clara.
After an eight-year break, the Far North District Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award has returned to honour those selfless folk who make a lasting, positive impression on the district.
And Kaikohe man Manga Tangaroa Aperahama-Kopa has been given the lifetime achievement award for years of work inand around education for disabled Māori children.
An emotional hui was held in the council chambers on December 23 to mark the return of the council’s Te Tohu Tutuki, Lifetime Achievement Awards, which celebrate residents whose mahi has made a lasting difference.
Eleven Far North residents were nominated by their communities in recognition of the time, energy and commitment they have given to making the district a better place to live.
After a unanimous decision by the selection panel of elected members, the winner of the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award was Aperahama-Kopa, from Kaikohe, who was recognised for the aroha that follows in his wake from inspiring a change in schools, clinicians, agencies and community services to better understand disabled Māori children.
Manga Tangaroa Aperahama-Kopa, wife Clara and whānau after he was presented with the Far North District Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award for inspiring a change in schools, clinicians, agencies and community services to better understand disabled Māori children.
Aperahama-Kopa is a driving force for change in the Far North, inspiring the Kaupapa Te Puna Reo o Manga Tangaroa, developing an accessible, full-immersion te reo Māori early childhood learning centre which supports tamariki and their whānau to learn in Kaikohe.
While only one could be selected the winner for the 2025 award, that does not diminish the strength and tireless dedication of all other nominees named during the ceremony.
The other nominees for the award were: Pat Killalea, Annette Hall, Hazel and Neil MacMillan, Diane Shirtliff, Tracey Albert, Barbara Kirkman, Bunty Kani and Blue Newport.
The Far North District Council plans to hold more ceremonies to recognise the community champions. To find out more about nominations and when they open, visit the council’s website.
