Volunteers being celebrated this week

Volunteers being celebrated this week

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today called on New Zealanders to take part in a New Zealand celebration of volunteering and civic participation - National Volunteer Week, Te Wiki Taao a Motu.

This year National Volunteer Week is 16-22 June and the theme is "He tangata, He tangata, He tangata!" which emphasises that volunteering is all about people.

"New Zealanders are among the best volunteers in the world with nearly a third of New Zealanders volunteering collectively about 270 million hours every year," Mrs Goodhew says.

"These people play a vital role in building stronger communities, bringing diversity, personality, history and experiences to their role,” the Minister says.

The week celebrates and recognises the value volunteers offer to society but too often recognition is not given publically. This is something the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award seeks to redress.

The Awards acknowledge the work of volunteers and communities who make a real difference to New Zealand. Particularly with the Kiwibank Local Heroes Awards.

Rewarding everyday people doing extraordinary things in their communities, up to 250 Kiwibank local Hero medals will be awarded in up to 15 regions in November and December. One national winner will be celebrated at the gala Awards dinner and receive $5000 from Kiwibank..

Each year over 700 individuals and communities are nominated in the Award programme. 700 people and organisations making a difference and most voluntarily.

So this National Volunteer Week, Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year urges you to nominate a volunteer for the awards so that we can all be inspired and the volunteer can be rewarded with one of New Zealand’s most prestigious awards.

Nominations opened this week for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2014. Awarded for outstanding service, achievement and contribution to the nation, the awards celebrate excellence in New Zealand and gives every Kiwi the opportunity to identify an individual or community group who inspires them. Each overall winner receives a trophy and $5000 from Kiwibank.

New Zealanders can nominate an individual or a community organisation in one or more of the following six categories.

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year
Honouring the inspirational achievements of a remarkable person

Sanitarium Innovator of the Year
Recognising the individuals whose discovery, research or inventions are driving our country forward.

Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year
Recognising over 60s making a positive contribution to the nation

Coca-Cola Amatil Young New Zealander of the Year
Role models aged between 15 and 30 who are inspiring young New Zealanders

Mitre 10 Community of the Year
Acknowledging groups and organisations working together to build better communities

Kiwibank Local Heroes

Rewarding everyday people doing extraordinary things in their communities, up to 250 Kiwibank local Hero medals will be awarded in up to 15 regions in November and December . One national winner will be celebrated at the gala Awards dinner.

Nominations are open until Monday 30th September.

Nomination forms are available online at www.nzawards.org.nz or from Kiwibank and Mitre 10 stores. Any NZ citizen 15 years of age and over can be nominated in one or more of the six award categories. The winners will be revealed at the gala National Awards dinner in February 2014.

The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards are proudly supported by media partners, Newstalk ZB and TV3.

For information or assistance in submitting a nomination:

Call toll free: 0508 692 927
Email: info@nzawards.org.nz
www.nzawards.org.nz

ENDS

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