Civic Honour Awards celebrate community contributions to Hastings

The contributions of two Hastings groups and 11 individuals, spanning many decades and almost every aspect of community life, have been recognised at this year’s Hastings Civic Honour Awards.

The recipients received their honour at a ceremony at Toitoi – Functions on Hastings on Thursday night, continuing a tradition of acknowledgement that has been run by Hastings District Council for more than 30 years.

From supporting vulnerable whānau and inspiring young people, to strengthening community resilience, caring for the environment and enriching the district’s cultural life, this year’s awardees have made an outstanding contribution to Heretaunga Hastings.

Hastings mayor Wendy Schollum said the awards were an opportunity to recognise people whose generosity, commitment and leadership helped make the district a stronger and more connected place.

“Every one of this year’s recipients has given something incredibly valuable to our community: their time, energy, skills and care for others.

“Some have contributed quietly behind the scenes for decades, while others have established programmes or led initiatives that have reached thousands of people. What they share is a willingness to step up and make a difference, often without expecting anything in return.

“So much of the strength of Heretaunga Hastings comes from people who care deeply about where they live and who put that care into action.

“On behalf of Council and our wider community, I warmly congratulate and thank all of this year’s recipients for everything they have given, and for continuing to show up for Heretaunga Hastings, year after year.”

The 2026 Civic Honour Awards recipients are:

• K Studio of Dance - for 50 years of inspiring and supporting young dancers, providing pathways from early enjoyment of ballet through to tertiary education and professional careers.

• Lindisfarne College Refuge Outreach team - for its partnership with Family VIP Services since 2017; with students, staff and families providing practical support, fundraising and awareness activities for vulnerable women.

• Sam Nelson - for nearly 60 years of continuous voluntary service to the Hawke’s Bay A & P Society, helping plan and deliver the annual A & P Show; strengthening the connections between town and country.

• Julie Russell - for about 20 years of voluntary service supporting Cranford Hospice through governance and fundraising, including her work establishing the Wildflower Sculpture Trail, as well as her contribution to the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction Board.

• Ngaire Shand - for six decades of inspiring children through music, including founding the Orokohanga Music Trust to provide musical opportunities to children who may otherwise not have had them.

• Brian McLay - for his extensive contribution to Twyford and the wider Hastings community, including helping refurbish the Twyford Community Hall and establish a community emergency hub following Cyclone Gabrielle, overseeing numerous fundraising campaigns with Rotary and volunteering on community boards and committees.

• Lyn Mackie - for 28 years as event coordinator of the Hastings Blossom Parade, helping grow the event into a family-focused, multicultural celebration that brings tens of thousands of people together in the city centre.

• Kristyl Neho - for almost two decades of work strengthening communities through youth development, confidence, leadership, wellbeing, storytelling and the creative arts, including initiatives such as Maia Dreams Charitable Trust and ConfidentMe.

• Dorinda Williams - for her quiet and consistent care for Flaxmere, voluntarily spending her time keeping local streets clean and demonstrating kaitiakitanga, pride and aroha for her community.

• Don Kennedy - for about 30 years of advocacy for safe and accessible cycling in Hastings, including spearheading the foundations for the district’s cycle and pathways network and establishing Bike Hawke’s Bay.

• Pona Patukia Tawera - for more than a decade of quietly raising the flag at the Mangateretere & Districts War Memorial each Anzac Day, helping ensure the memorial and the importance of the annual commemoration are not forgotten.

• Dr. Jean Te Huia - for her lifelong commitment to uplifting Māori health, her advocacy for women and babies, and her work with her whānau to establish Hinetemoa marae at Waimārama - used as an important cultural education hub for thousands of school children each year.

• Wayne Mowat - for about a decade of voluntary service across a range of charitable and community activities, including Radio Hawke’s Bay, the Keirunga Singers, and his longstanding contribution to Anzac commemorations in Havelock North and Hastings.