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
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Shining Stars Of Volunteering Recognised In The Western Bay
Volunteers who go above and beyond for their communities were celebrated at the Volunteer Star Awards by Volunteering Services. The event was held during the Tauranga Big Shout Out Morning Tea at The Kollective on June 18th, as part of National Volunteer Week. The awards recognised individuals from across the Western Bay of Plenty for their exceptional commitment and generosity. As part of the opening, the attendees were welcomed by Councillor Marten Rozeboom. 'I tip my hat to anyone who's prepared to give up a portion of their life to make someone else's life better', Rozeboom shared. Spanning six diverse categories, this year's Volunteer Star Award winners reflect the depth of volunteerism in our region. From environmental action to youth support, neighbourhood care to lifetime dedication, each recipient showcases the powerful impact of giving time for the good of others. 2025 Volunteer Star Award Winners Rising Star – Youth Volunteer: Hannah Secker A talented baker and long-time supporter of Under the Stars, Hannah began helping as a child with her family and now creates weekly homemade desserts for those experiencing homelessness. Her creativity, reliability and warmth are a gift to all. New Light – Newcomer Volunteer: Emily-Kay Livick Emily recently stepped into the role of Achilles Tauranga chapter leader, advocating for disabled children and young people who often miss out on long-distance running events. Her calm leadership and fresh energy are helping create a more inclusive local running community. Local Star – Neighbourhood Champion: Fareena Ali Fareena has volunteered for over a decade with Papamoa Food Hub and its predecessor. Tireless, cheerful, and deeply committed, she supports food relief efforts and is beloved by her fellow volunteers. Green Star – Environmental Volunteer: Jacquie Ashton Jacquie leads the Pest Free Ōmokoroa group, securing funding, growing volunteer networks, and building relationships with mana whenua. Her impact is visible across the peninsula — a true conservation leader working with heart. Guiding Light – Lifetime Volunteer: Shona Graham Celebrating 30 years with Katikati Community Centre, Shona has supported events, after-school care, holiday programmes and much more. Known for her positivity and generosity, she's considered a cornerstone of her community. Shining Star – Volunteer of the Year: Jasper Osborne Through Stoney Creek's Hunt for Good, Jasper donates wild game to community groups including Kura Kai. He balances full-time work with running the not-for-profit and weekend hunts — all to provide nutritious food for local whānau. With over 60 nominations put forward, Volunteering Services Manager, Angela Wallace shares 'Our judges had their work cut out for them with an overwhelming number of nominations and such incredible mahi happening in our region'. Volunteering Services thanks all nominators and community groups who participated — and everyone who makes time to care for others. Special mention also goes to NumberWorks'nWords Tauranga, Neighbourhood Support WBOP, Envirohub BOP, FreshChoice Papamoa, Leanne Brown - Harcourts Pāpāmoa, Tauranga City Council Welcoming Communities, The Coffee Club NZ for their generosity in sponsoring this year's prizes. For more information or to connect with local volunteering opportunities, please reach out on or call (07) 987-0920.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
Lifesaving Funding Boosts For Kiwis' Outdoor Safety
Associate Minister of Transport Associate Transport Minister James Meager has confirmed an additional $76.7 million for New Zealand Search and Rescue over three years, to ensure 12 organisations can continue their lifesaving operations. Additionally, the Government has announced an investment of $624,000 over the same period, to help maintain and improve recreational aviation safety across the country. 'New Zealand has one of the largest and most challenging search and rescue regions in the world, so it's vital to ensure they have necessary funding to deliver their critical services,' Mr Meager says. "Ensuring Kiwis are safe as they go about their activities, either for work or leisure, is one of the Government's top transport priorities. 'Last year, 152 lives were saved, 921 people were assisted and 794 people were rescued through the work of the search and rescue sector. This is thanks to the dedication of than 11,000 people involved in the industry – 80 per cent of whom are volunteers.' $542,000 will go towards the New Zealand Aviation Federation to deliver updated Instrument Flight Procedures at unattended aerodromes, which pilots use to safely take off and land at airports across the country. An $82,000 funding boost will also enhance safety at those sites, paying for further training and education to remind pilots of the necessary safety procedures. 'The investment also underlines the Government's commitment to helping grow our economy by supporting a safe and secure recreational aviation system,' Mr Meager says. 'Many Kiwis and visitors love to get out and explore our beautiful country. Today's announcements will help keep everyone safe when they're outdoors – whether that's on the land, water or in the air.' Notes: The Government's investment into the search and rescue sector is determined by a review of the funding, which the Ministry of Transport carries out every three years. Funding was last reviewed in 2022. In addition to the previous funding approved under Section 9(1) of the Land Transport Management Act 2003, the new three years funding package includes: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) will receive $3.2 million to support the organisation's operations. Land Safety Forum will receive $1.1 million for its work to improve collaboration between 15 government agencies and volunteer organisations working across the search and rescue sector. Marlborough-Nelson Marine Radio Association will receive $279,000 to continue to operate its Very High Frequency (VHF) channels that ensures the safety of recreational boat users in the Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough regions. The funding will be used for operator channel costs, maintenance and upgrades of its Marine VHF repeater sites. NZ Police will receive $795,000 to support the continued employment of 11 District Search and Rescue Assistant Coordinators. NZ Search and Rescue Council (and Secretariat) will receive $1.4 million to implement its Strategic Plan. Coastguard NZ will receive $11.3 million to continue to deliver search and rescue activities, including funding for training, and information and business improvement. The Department of Conservation (DoC) will receive $189,000 to cover its baseline SAR activities. Maritime NZ will receive $17.2 million, which will cover costs incurred by operators for rescues performed, its search and rescue (SAR) coordination role, and recreational craft safety activities. Mountain Safety Council will receive $1.3 million, which will ensure it can continue to deliver the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA). Surf Life Saving New Zealand will receive $8.3 million, which will fund training, volunteer support, and the organisations SAR operations. Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) will receive $30.1 million, which will support the organisations SAR activities and operations and ensure its volunteers meet personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. Youth Search and Rescue (YSAR) will receive total funding of $1.56 million to support the organisations activities. Recreational flying Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) are instructions pilots use to navigate around aerodromes and are integral to safely take off and land at aerodromes and airports without an air traffic control tower. The NZAF received funding to deliver IFPs at uncontrolled airports in 2022, however IFPs need five yearly maintenance and this funding ensures that the IFPs remain valid into the future. The funding amount available is limited to the amount of fuel excise duty collected from users of aircraft in recreational aviation.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Scoop
NZDF Targets Unexploded Ordnance In Papua New Guinea
Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force The Kiwis joined personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the United States and United Kingdom for Operation Render Safe, an operation that has been targeting explosive remnants of war (ERW) left throughout the Pacific after … Four New Zealand Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators have joined an Australian Defence Force-led operation to locate, identify and plan for disposal of Second World War-era ordnance in the East New Britain region of Papua New Guinea. The Kiwis joined personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the United States and United Kingdom for Operation Render Safe, an operation that has been targeting explosive remnants of war (ERW) left throughout the Pacific after the Second World War for over 20 years. More than 25,000 people have been injured or killed in Papua New Guinea by ERW since the Second World War. Captain C led the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) team working within Combined Joint Task Force Wallaby to reduce explosive threats facing the communities of East New Britain. 'Alongside our partners over three weeks, we have located, marked and indexed over 2800 items of Explosive Remnants of War and Unexploded Ordnance. These were primarily of US and Japanese origin and ranged from 75mm anti-aircraft shells to 500lb bombs to Type 93 torpedoes. 'Concurrently, we conducted an education programme at local schools to inform the children about the dangers of these items, as they are the ones who are commonly finding them while playing in the jungle.' Operation Render Safe will return in 2026 to conduct disposal of the identified items.
