Putaruru Local Wins Mother of the Year

Media Release

Sunday 11 May 2014

Putaruru Local Wins Mother of the Year

Today, following a nationwide search for New Zealand’s most inspiring mother and role model, Rachel West, 41 of Putaruru has been awarded the title of The Warehouse Mother of the Year 2014.

Rachel, who is a mother of eight - including four foster children, was nominated by her 19-year-old daughter Kendal during The Warehouse’s annual competition to celebrate Kiwi mums and mother figures in the lead-up to Mother’s Day.

Choosing just one mum for the title from thousands of entries was extremely difficult, according to Simon Turner, CEO The Warehouse who - together with Woman’s Day Editor Sido Kitchin - had the tough task of selecting the country’s most deserving mum.

“Ultimately, it was the sheer love Kendal has for her mum that really shone through in the entry,” said Mr Turner.

“Rachel is the perfect example of a great Kiwi mum who has gone above and beyond for her family and has extended her love and care to four more children. She is extremely deserving of this grand prize and prestigious title.”

With four children of her own, two years ago Rachel decided to foster four more youngsters into the family, who are all siblings, aged from only six weeks.

Daughter Kendal says: “My mum goes out of her way for her kids and never does anything for herself. She treats all of her children with so much love and care, which is why winning Mother of the Year is such a great way to say thank you for everything.”

Rachel couldn’t believe it when she found out she had won: “I thought Kendal was joking and I had to ask her a few times before I finally believed her. Winning this is completely unexpected but it has been such a great experience. Family means everything to me,” said Ms West.

Rachel’s $10,000 worth of prizes includes a $3,000 The Warehouse gift card, $3,000 Green Acres voucher, a makeover, photo shoot and article in Woman’s Day (on sale Monday 12 May nationwide), and a gift basket from The Warehouse including health and beauty products, accessories and more.

This is the second year The Warehouse has run the Mother of the Year competition. To participate, entrants had to explain in 150 words or less why their mum or mother figure deserved to win the title of Mother of the Year.

Judges also awarded runners-up prizes to two equally deserving mums: Kaylene Dunbar from Christchurch and Sue Stone from Feilding, each receiving a $1,000 The Warehouse gift card.

Mr Turner says: “As a family focused business, we wanted to create an opportunity for people to recognise the tireless and sometimes thankless work that mums, guardians and all mother figures put into their family and this Award certainly does that.”

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