It's trophy time! Restoration volunteers recognised

As we near the end of a remarkable year, we are excited to announce that Nicky Shave, our project coordinator, has been recognised as a joint winner of Emerging Leader in Volunteer Engagement at the 2025 NZ Volunteering Awards, alongside Gary Mitchell from PredatorFree Grenada Village.

This award recognises the innovative and groundbreaking project that is Te Hōnonga a Iwi, and highlights the outcomes we have achieved for the community and planet. These outcomes include working with nine schools and three ECEs, which have provided opportunities for less-abled students, created over 50 youth leader positions, and engaged with three retirement villages. Nicky and the team ensure every person who comes on site is recognised and valued, with Nicky herself giving over 50 hours a week to Te Hōnonga a Iwi.

“Nicky is the powerhouse behind our project. She gives a phenomenal amount of time and effort to the restoration and has a remarkable ability to galvanise others. She draws in everyone from local families and schools to businesses, experts and academics — creating a space where each person can contribute, learn and grow. The community we’ve built simply wouldn’t exist without her,” says Te Hōnonga a Iwi Chair Sheryl Blythen.

And the celebration doesn’t stop there.

We also want to congratulate two of our hard-working hockey volunteers who were recognised at the recent North Harbour Hockey awards evening.

Sam Weston won the Te Hōnonga a Iwi Service Award, and Matthew Wardle was honoured with the NHHA Sustainability Service Award.

“Sam’s creative talent has given Te Hōnonga a Iwi its visual heartbeat. As our volunteer graphic designer, she has brought the project to life through the beautiful artwork she produces for our website, social media and community initiatives. From handcrafted signage to digital storytelling, Sam’s work captures the spirit of our restoration and strengthens the people’s feeling for this place,” Sheryl says.

“Matthew is one of those rare people whose contribution goes far beyond any single role. As secretary of our newly incorporated society, he keeps us organised and on track, but he also brings fresh thinking and real vision to the future of the restoration. His groundbreaking mapping initiative — using advanced drones and geospatial software to create interactive 2D and 3D models of our site — has opened up entirely new possibilities for how we plan and understand our mahi. And despite his demanding law and environmental science studies, he still shows up at working bees and events, always ready to help.”

Here’s to a bright 2026 with these superstars by our side.