A new Māori community awards programme has been launched in Hauraki to recognise the everyday people whose mahi strengthens whānau and uplifts communities across the region.
Te Pā Harakeke | Hauraki Māori Community Awards has been established by Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki | Hauraki Women’s Refuge and will celebrate individuals, whānau and community groups whose contributions often go unseen but have a lasting impact.
The inaugural awards ceremony will take place during Matariki on Saturday 11 July at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, bringing together whānau, hapū, iwi, organisations and community leaders from across Hauraki.
Organisers say the awards are designed to acknowledge the carers, kaimahi, kaitiaki, rangatahi and wāhine whose work supports the wellbeing and resilience of local communities.
Nominations officially opened today and close on Friday 19 June. Community members can nominate individuals, whānau, kaupapa or rōpū whose work deserves recognition.
The awards are inspired by the concept of the pā harakeke, which symbolises the strength of whānau and collective care across generations. Organisers say the initiative reflects the importance of protecting and nurturing the “rito” — the centre shoot of the harakeke — so future generations can flourish.
Six award categories will recognise contributions across areas including whanaungatanga and collective empowerment, environmental wellbeing, community safety, cultural revitalisation, wāhine Māori leadership and rangatahi innovation.
Three of the categories — Social and Economic Wellbeing, Environmental Wellbeing and Wāhine Māori Leadership — will also serve as memorial awards selected by whānau.
Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki says the awards aim to create a lasting platform to celebrate the people who quietly hold communities together throughout the region
