Lake Horowhenua advocates finally gain recognition

Veronica from Manakau

Two of Lake Horowhenua owner's Vivienne Taueki and Charles Rudd of MuaUpoko Iwi were recognised for their community service at Horowhenua's Civic Honours Awards held at Te Takere in Levin on Thursday 29 November.

Ms Taueki was one three volunteers recognised for outstanding community service by Horowhenua District Council Mayor Michael Feyen in the Mayoral Awards category.

Mr Feyen said Ms Taueki has provided advice and support to him on many matters, including employment, iwi land, Māori Land Court processes, hemp, and the history of Horowhenua.

"Vivienne is an active member of the Muaūpoko Cooperative Society, working to maintain ancestral lands and waterways."

"She has spent many hours researching and identifying sites of significance to Māori, wāhi tapu and Muaūpoko taonga, and she is a committed advocate for Lake Horowhenua," he said.

Other recipients in the Mayoral Awards category included author, former councillor and journalist Anne Hunt, and Foxton's Save Our River Trust (SORT).

Mr Feyen said he recognised Anne's knowledge about local government, regulatory organisations and in the judicial arena on local Iwi matters.

Ms Hunt was also founding member and president of the Foxton Tourist and Development Association and chaired a range of community organisations including Tourism Horowhenua.

Foxton's Save Our River Trust (SORT), established 14 years ago, was recognised for its work to reintroduce more water from the main river channel into the Foxton Loop.

"SORT's membership and their mandate includes Iwi partners Rangitāne, Raukawa and Muaūpoko, and the Foxton Community Board as well as numerous locals of the Foxton area who bring their skills and sheer bloody mindedness to achieve their desired outcome," said Mr Feyen.

A Certificate of Recognition was awarded to Mr Rudd for his decade’s long advocacy on the environmental effects of pollution to Lake Horowhenua.

"He has been a strong voice for the environment for many years and contributed a great deal to discussions on protecting biodiversity, caring for our waterways, managing waste, improving air quality and protecting our coasts," said Mr Feyen.

Civic Awards were also presented to Neil Perfect, John Brown Peter and Vivien Wright and Murray Forward.

Certificates of recognition were also awarded to the Radio Reading Service, Bob and Jan Saunders and Linda Sherlock.

Youth Excellence Scholarships of $250 were also presented to 12 young people between 12 and 24 years old for excellence in arts and culture, community service and sport.

The Council's Civic Honours Award system was introduced in 1995 to recognise outstanding community service.