Celebrating Volunteers in Our Community
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the people who make our community stronger.
Across Tapawera and the surrounding valleys, volunteers give their time, skills, knowledge, energy, and care to support others. They organise events, coach sports teams, plant trees, serve on committees, maintain community facilities, support neighbours, run programmes, raise funds, and step forward whenever there is work to be done.
Many of the things we enjoy as a community simply wouldn't happen without volunteers.
Tapawera Connect has the privilege of working alongside many incredible people who generously give their time to support local projects and initiatives.
Our Trust Board members Lisa, Stu, Joe, Michelle, and Kelly volunteer their time to provide governance, leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the organisation. Their commitment helps ensure community-led projects continue to grow and thrive.
Environmental volunteers have also made a significant impact through the Shedwood Bush restoration project. Last year, the Shedwood Bush Betters collectively contributed 326 volunteer hours, planting 350 native trees and trapping 72 predators as they worked to restore this special local environment.
The Rural Mums group continues to create valuable opportunities for connection and support for local families. Abby Fenemor generously contributed 106 volunteer hours over the past year to coordinate activities and support local mums.
Volunteers are also at the heart of our seniors' wellbeing programmes. Across Tea & Talk, Wellby Talking Café, and Sit & Be Fit, community members contributed 212 volunteer hours over the past year. A special thank you goes to Sue, Maree, and the many others who regularly help create welcoming spaces where people can connect, stay active, and support one another.
Many of our workshops, events, and community activities are only possible because local people are willing to share their knowledge, experience, and skills. Whether teaching a workshop, speaking at an event, mentoring others, helping with setup and pack-down, or lending a hand behind the scenes, volunteers continue to enrich community life.
When our community faced flooding, volunteers once again demonstrated the strength of rural communities. Forty-two volunteers supported flood recovery efforts, helping 82 households with clean-up and recovery work. Their willingness to help neighbours in a time of need embodied the very best of community spirit.
The Tapawera Community Gardens are another wonderful example of volunteer energy in action. While the gardens have been part of our community for many years, they have recently experienced a resurgence of activity. Under Sabine's guidance, monthly working bees have attracted strong support, bringing people together to grow food, share knowledge, and strengthen community connections. Watch this space.
A Community Built by Volunteers
While National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to celebrate specific projects and achievements, volunteering extends far beyond any one organisation.
Across our community, hundreds of volunteer hours are contributed every year through clubs, committees, boards, community groups, events, and informal acts of service.
These include (but aren’t limited to):
Tapawera Domain Board
Tapawera Area School Board of Trustees
Church groups and congregations
Menzshed volunteers
Community event volunteers
Spring Show volunteers
Matariki event volunteers
Christmas event volunteers
Hall and reserve committees throughout the valleys
Sports coaches, managers, referees, and umpires
Emergency response volunteers
Community transport volunteers
Environmental restoration groups
Fundraising committees and working groups
And of course, there are many people who volunteer in quieter ways. Those who check in on neighbours, provide transport, lend equipment, prepare meals, share expertise, help at working bees, or simply show up when someone needs support.
These contributions may not always be counted, but they are deeply valued.
Thank You
One of the greatest strengths of our community is that when something needs doing, somebody usually puts their hand up.
National Volunteer Week is our opportunity to pause and recognise the enormous contribution volunteers make to the wellbeing, resilience, and vibrancy of our community.
To every person who has volunteered their time, whether for an hour, a day, or many years, thank you.
Your generosity helps make Tapawera and the surrounding valleys the connected, caring, and welcoming community we are proud to call home.
By the Numbers
Over the past year alone:
326 volunteer hours contributed to Shedwood Bush restoration
350 native trees planted
72 predators trapped
106 volunteer hours contributed to Rural Mums
212 volunteer hours supporting seniors' wellbeing programmes
42 volunteers involved in flood recovery efforts
82 households assisted following flooding
These numbers tell only part of the story.
Behind every hour is a person who chose to give their time to help others, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.
We know there are many volunteers, groups, clubs, committees, and community initiatives across Tapawera and the surrounding valleys. While we've done our best to acknowledge as many as possible, we may have unintentionally missed some. If so, please know your contribution is equally valued and appreciated. Thank you for everything you do for our community.
