On The Up: Bay of Plenty firefighter, surf rescuer share why they volunteer
This week is National Volunteer Week, honouring the collective energies and efforts of millions of Kiwis who give their time and skills to communities. Journalist Stuart Whitaker spoke to two of the many volunteers in the Western Bay of Plenty community: Volunteer firefighter Diana Hutchings and Pukehina Surf Rescue treasurer
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Interactive: Story and meaning of stars of Matariki, Māori New Year
This piece was first published in 2022. Our very own new year is now a public holiday, with Kiwis around the country marking it on Friday, June 20, this year. As Matariki has always been a celebration of abundance, of remembrance, unity and hope for the future, it's an opportunity
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Cyclone Recovery Projects Benefit From Special Lotto Draw Funding
Two years on from Cyclone Gabrielle, communities are now stronger and more resilient following the distribution of $11.77 million raised through a special Lotto draw. More than 560 groups and organisations have received grants that have allowed them to rebuild and prepare for future adverse weather, with much of the funding coming from the Lotto draw on 18 March 2023. Funds raised from the draw were passed by the Lottery Grants Board to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust for distribution to the community. 'We're incredibly proud to have played a role in this vital recovery effort and very grateful to our players for rallying around to help support those worst affected by the cyclone,' says Lotto NZ Chief Executive Jason Delamore. The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust funded hundreds of grassroots projects to help restore and strengthen other hard-hit areas, most of them rural. Examples include: $18,509 to the Ahuroa Community Hall to purchase a generator, marine VHF radios, a storage container and emergency supplies $28,000 to Te Ahi Kaa Training and Social Services Centre to purchase satellite phones and handheld radios, ensuring the Kennedy Bay community on the Coromandel Peninsula can stay connected in the aftermath of an emergency $30,000 to Te Rawhiti Work Trust to purchase a container, trailer, and essential emergency equipment — vital tools to help them respond quickly and effectively in future crises Many of the grants have focused on funding equipment and infrastructure that will enable community organisations to withstand another severe weather event more effectively. Delamore says the team at Lotto NZ leapt into action to support communities affected by the cyclone. 'When the cyclone hit, our role was clear. As the national lottery, we were in a unique position to offer a way that Kiwis could contribute towards relief for those in need and to help them get back on their feet in the long term.' The special draw was part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work done by the government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers in raising money to help with response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. Project spotlight: Solar on marae More than 70 organisations received funding for new solar and battery installations to enable them to remain open to their communities during power outages. In one of the affected areas, Tairāwhiti, 21 marae received a combined $856,979 in funding for solar panels, helping build resilience both within the community and against any future events like Cyclone Gabrielle. The project includes marae locations from Pōtaka in the north through to Te Araroa, Rangitukia/Tikitiki, Ruatōria, Waipiro Bay, Tolaga Bay, Makauri, Whatatutu, and Muriwai with the allocation of funds overseen by Trust Tairāwhiti. 'Our marae has always been a natural place of gathering for our whānau, especially in times of crisis,' says Matahi o te Tau Marae Trustee and Secretary Campbell Dewes. 'When the cyclone hit and the power went out, we were cut off. 'Having solar and battery storage now means we're not only able to keep our freezers full of kai and meet our day-to-day needs — we're also less dependent on the grid, more resilient, and doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprint. 'As one of the first places in Aotearoa to see the sun, it's only fitting we can harness some of its energy to power our future,' says Dewes. Trust Tairāwhiti General Manager Audine Grace-Kutia says the 21 marae are being equipped with 28 to 40 high-efficiency solar panels and a battery averaging just over 20 kWh in capacity. 'These systems are expected to cover more than 50 percent of a marae daily energy needs and will save them $100's a month on power bills — all while giving the marae greater energy independence, which is especially important in remote or outage-prone areas,' Grace-Kutia said. 'It means they're able to meet their cultural obligations in times when communities, whānau and hapū need support in the face of extreme weather events and the like.' Notes All funds raised from the special draw went to support communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Volunteer urges others to give it a go
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, The Star highlights one of Dunedin's unsung heroes — Otago Community Hospice and Christmas can collection stalwart Aimee Taylor. Brenda Harwood reports. In typical fashion, stalwart Dunedin volunteer Aimee Taylor was a little reluctant to step into the limelight and be celebrated for her efforts. But the chance to highlight the immense benefits of volunteering for individuals and organisations alike, and to encourage others to become volunteers, convinced her that it was worth it. Alongside her busy role as a career firefighter, based at the Dunedin Central Fire Station, Ms Taylor is also a stalwart volunteer — doing regular shifts in the Otago Community Hospice kitchen and stepping up to organise the annual Combined Dunedin Foodbanks Christmas Can Collection. Ms Taylor started volunteering at the hospice several years ago, after witnessing the excellent supportive care given to family members and friends and deciding to give back. "Because I do shift work as a firefighter, I am able to slot into kitchen shifts around what is needed, including lunch service and dinner service," she said. Working alongside hospice head chef Rose Tamplin, Ms Taylor helps to create tempting individual meals for in-patients, as well as catering for community support groups, training sessions and meetings. "It's great to be involved in helping to care for patients at the hospice, as well as providing for some of the many other people who provide and receive support there," she said. Otago Community Hospice has about 400 volunteers, who tackle a broad range of important tasks that help keep the facility running, including reception, cleaning, kitchen work, gardening and working in the hospice shops. "There is a constant rotation of people coming through to do those vital volunteer jobs, it's quite amazing," Ms Taylor said. However, more volunteers were always needed at the hospice, and she urged anyone interested to give it a go. "It is a very satisfying thing to do, and the hospice is great at looking after and celebrating their volunteers." As a firefighter, Ms Taylor had been involved in the Christmas can collection, which is supported by local emergency services, for a few years before stepping up to become organiser of the event. "It is such an important support for our local major foodbanks, so I wanted to do all I could to help. "And having formerly worked as an event organiser, it is something I enjoy doing and have the skills for," she said. The Christmas can collection helps to fill up the shelves at Dunedin's Presbyterian Support Otago Family Works foodbank, the Salvation Army foodbank and the St Vincent de Paul foodbank at what is a difficult time of year for many families. "Last Christmas, we had more than 200 volunteers for the collection, including drivers of appliances and collection vehicles, runners and packers. "It was so much fun, and a really rewarding thing to do — the community really supports it generously." Describing volunteering as her "happy place", Ms Taylor urged others to give it a go. "It's a great feeling to be involved in something like that."
