Volunteer Recognition Awards 2025
Each year Volunteering New Plymouth honours and recognises special volunteers with a Volunteer Recognition Awards Celebration. This year this was again held at New Plymouth District Council Chambers on Saturday 14th June,2025. Which is the day before National Volunteer Week.
This year there were 37 people who came across the stage to receive their award. This included just two people representing each team. However, there were a total of 98 people recognised as there were 59 people among the 5 teams recognised and 18 also in the Family / Whanau category.
We are delighted to share this year’s winners and the categories they were awarded under
Background for these awards recognise and honour people who have made an outstanding contribution in our community. Nominees were be judged on their voluntary work within the nominating organisation and the wider community. These services must be provided voluntarily to help others without expecting any personal or financial gain.
Individual
Katy Quest Flourish
Marie Rutten Sustainable Taranaki
Robin Bublitz Take Them A Meal
Couple
For Couples who volunteer together for an organisation or have both volunteered for a long period of time (5 years or more) (not necessarily for the same Organisation)
Tom & Linda Cloke Take them A Meal
Colin & Theresa Gibbon Inglewood Athletic Club
Long Service
This special award recognises and honours people who have been volunteering for 15 years or more in their community.
Barbara Hammonds Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society
Elizabeth (Lee) Ross St Vincent de Paul
Patricia (Tricia) Gillbanks NP Riding for Disabled
Raewyn Bocock Taranaki Cancer Society
Rowan Williams Swimming Taranaki
Val Huffam Waitara Swimming Club
Youth Individual
Youth Volunteers up to the age of 25 at close of nominations may be nominated in the Youth category.
Arielle Healy NP Riding for Disabled
Gabriella (Gabby) Brady Take Them A Meal
Grayson Armstrong-Wilson Rotokare Scenic Reserve
Youth Team
City of NP Cadet Unit Taranaki Cancer Society
2LT Stephen Bovett & CDT WO2 Ryan Jameson
Team
While the awards have traditionally marked the efforts of individual volunteers. The focus of this award is on either projects undertaken by organisations or effective and efficient service operations, and programmes run by organisations which involve a team of volunteers that make a positive community contribution.
Buggy Drivers Friends of Pukekura Park
Roz Miller & John Konijn
Cemetery Project Team NP Genealogy Society
Pat George & Noreen Potts
Taranaki Maori Wardens Taranaki Maori Wardens
Peter Johns & Shaun Gedye
Volunteer Chaplains Assistants (VCA’s)
Barbara Hooper & Heather Butler
Tuku Iho
This category is for Family / Whanau that have 3 or more generations who volunteer. The volunteering does not need to be for the same Organisation. Information about each nominee is to completed on their contribution to the Organisation and the community.
Marian & Nikki Valintine Family Inglewood Welfare Society
Kevin & Noah Nielsen Family Conductive Education Taranaki
Ray, Angela & Zach Willy/ Wright Family Rotokare Scenic Reserve
Weaving Together
This category, (chosen by the Manager) has criteria that the volunteer contribution of these people is significant across multiple groups or organisations
Chris Herlihy Long Service Art Taranaki
Graham Dodunski Individual NP Riding for Disabled
Jo Parsons Individual Waitara Foodbank Pataka Kai
Yvonne Muskee Individual WISE Charitable Trust
This is an awesome celebration of some of our amazing volunteers within the community. And it is only because of the nominators who take the time to put together the story of these great people. The nominations are always open so if you know someone or a great team of volunteers who you think should be recognised – don’t leave it till next year – put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard and start that nomination NOW . you can find the form on our website www.volunteeringnewplymouth.org.nz... under news and events the nomination forms are there – as well as all the previous winners
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16% Hmm, maybe?
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10.8% Yes!
Give Music a Go, Summer Holiday Music Programme
The Taranaki School of Music is holding a fun and interactive School Holiday Music Programme in New Plymouth next month.
Discover the joy of music with lots of musical activities and try out different music instruments with professional tutors. This is aimed at 7 - 13 year age groups. Held in the mornings of 19- 21 st. January 2026 at the City Life Church.
Cost $90 for 3 sessions. Limited financial assistance available.
For information, registration, contact Jocelyn Beath, 021 144 1681, joc.beath@xtra.co.nz.
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
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