It was a beautiful day up at the Dargaville Lighthouse Function Centre yesterday to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of some of our dedicated Kaipara people.
Mayor Craig Jepson presented the following awards, and recipients' nominators and families spoke about each recipients contributions to our community.
The recipients were -
2025 Citizens Awards
Extraordinary service by a newcomer to the district
Jacqui O'Connor
Nominators: Christine and Robert Pirie
Jacqui moved to Mangawhai in 2022 and has been incredibly active through her charity the Heart Place Hospital , which focuses on providing accessible wellness services for frontline workers, carers and families.
Long term extraordinary service award
Ann Lupton
Nominators: Rachel Watson and Bill Fitness
Ann has been volunteering for 18 years at Kaipara Heritage Machinery Club. Having recently retired as treasurer, Ann was involved in a large portfolio of initiatives the Club is involved in including Krank Up days, School visits, and the members' newsletter. Ann's nominators credited her for having an influential role within the organisation, particularly in keeping everyone in line. Ann remains an active member of the Club.
Chris Fife
Nominators: Francis Violet Hutchinson and Dean Tito
Chris is a passionate volunteer having served the west coast rugby community for over 40 years. Some of his notable roles are: Southern Rugby Club member & club captain Northern Wairoa Rugby Union Chairman Northland Rugby Council of Union Chairman Northland Rugby Board Director Chris is also an Ambassador of the Northland Emergency Services Trust and was nominated as Northland Rugby Volunteer of the year in 2023.
Gary Dallas
Nominators: Graham Taylor and Pete Hames
Gary’s nominators characterise him as someone who readily steps forward without prompting whenever there is a project on, anticipating the need and freely contributing support. Gary is a long-standing trustee and the Property Manager on Paparoa County Depot Trust, a committee member of the Paparoa medical Society and was a significant lead in the establishment of the community gym in Paparoa. Gary is a regular driver for the Otamatea Community Services monthly trips taking the elderly to Whangarei and voluntarily services the vans.
Joyce Martin
Nominators: Wendy Koloi and Janet Froggart
Joyce has dedicated much of her time to multiple worthy initiatives including 10 years Girls Brigade – teaching girls how to live a good moral life and how to cook, sew and knit. 12 years Citizens Advice Bureau – a volunteer, presently secretary which she has been frequently. 15 years in Methodist Church – organist and flower arranger, morning tea helper
Kenny Finlayson
Nominators: Terri Donaldson and David Gunson
Kenny has been generously involved with many organisations within the community over many decades. These have included establishing the Town gardens, the building of the Maungaturoto wharf project and ongoing maintenance, community Christmas parades and increasing accessibility at community venues through the provision of ramps. Kenny is the current chair of Kaipara Harbour Care and Treasurer of the Paparoa Golf Club.
Jim Wintle
Posthumous long term extraordinary service award
Nominators: Julia Wade and John Phillis
and Mayoral Honorary Award
Jim’s legacy within the Mangawhai community is far reaching. Jim initiated the development of Mangawhai Historical Village and was an original member of the Big Dig Crew, and was a key player in saving the Mangawhai estuary in 1991. Jim went on to be a co-founder of the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society and served as Chair from 1991 – 1996. Jim served on multiple committees and initiatives including Chair of the Mangawhai Community Trust Assisted in setting up Mangawhai’s first community patrol Lobbied the government for a police station to be established on Moir Street Chair of the Daring Trust and was a driving force for bringing the 19th century schooner home.
2025 Environmental Awards
Ian and Heidi Baker
Nominators: John Phillis and Ken Rayward
Nomination Category Environmental Action in the Community Ian and Heidi, having recently moved to Mangawhai (just over 5 years ago) become active members of the community, establishing the Mangawhai Community Clean Up, a group that meets monthly to clean up both Mangawhai Village and the Heads
Kaipara Moana Remediation (presented to Kaipara Moana Remediation Joint Committee Chair Tame Te Rangi)
Nominators: Phil Halse and Jack Craw Nomination Category Environmental Action in the Community
A little over 3 years old, Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) has worked tirelessly across 640,000ha to protect and restore the Kaipara harbour by providing expert advice, grant investments and training. As at 31 March 2025, 899 landowners/groups are working with KMR, 781 with a formal plan to guide restoration efforts.
Sustainable Kaipara (presented to Stephanie Gibson)
Nominators: Kirsty Gould and Beth Pilkington Nomination Category Environmental Action in the Community Environmental Action in Education Environmental Action in Business / Industry
Operating since 2016 as ‘Plastic Free Mangawhai’ before becoming Sustainable Kaipara in 2019, the group has worked strongly for to advocate for and encourage waste minimisation throughout the community. Community workshops and events including: Compost workshops Low waste kitchen workshops Beach clean ups Clothing Swap events In addition, they conduct a district-wide school programme teaching children about waste minimisation
