Mayors pay tribute to local 'heroes'

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Volunteers are ‘‘truly our heroes’’, say North Canterbury’s mayors.

As they look ahead to National Volunteer Week next week, Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon and Hurunui mayor Marie Black have given a shout-out to those who give up countless hours to serve their communities.

Gordon said some organisations have been serving their communities for 150 years or more.

The Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade celebrated its 150th anniversary at Queen’s Birthday Weekend, while its Kaiapoi counterpart marked 150 years in 2020.

Both urban and rural fire brigades in North Canterbury relied entirely on volunteers.

‘‘They just do an amazing job. They attend much more than fires, they attend medical emergencies and are first responders,’’ Gordon said.

‘‘They are truly our heroes.’’

It was estimated volunteers contributed more than one million volunteer hours to the Waimakariri district.

‘‘We just couldn’t do what we do without it,’’ Gordon said.

Black said her district was ‘‘full of amazing people’’.

Firefighters left farms and businesses at a moment’s notice to respond to callouts.

The Hurunui Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade has responded to 40 call-outs in the last five months.

‘‘It is so important to acknowledge our volunteers and what they contribute,’’ Black said.

‘‘We have so many committees, sports clubs, church groups and emergency service volunteers.

‘‘It is a real value add to our district.’’

Like firefighters, St John and Civil Defence volunteers responded to call outs ‘‘at a drop of a hat’’, Black said.

Organisations like the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust supported people in a time of need.

National Volunteer Week runs from June 16 to 22, with the theme of Whiria Te Tangata – Weave the people together.

The Big Shout-out campaign, to celebrate volunteers, was also running throughout the month of June.

---------------------------------------------------------
Photo one: Hurunui mayor Marie Black, right, pictured with deputy mayor Vince Daly, says volunteers add value to the district. (By David Hill/LDR)
Photo two: Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon (right), pictured with deputy mayor Neville Atkinson, says volunteers contribute more than one million volunteer hours to the district.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.