Napier Citizen Civic Award nominations open now

Jill McConnochie has never expected any recognition for the work she has done over the years as a volunteer.

So it was something of a shock for her to find out not only that she had been nominated for a 2015 Napier Citizen Civic Award, but that she had been selected to receive one.

Nominations for the 2016 Napier Citizen Civic Awards are open now. The Napier City Council founded these Awards 38 years ago to recognize outstanding citizens who are shining examples of community service volunteers.

Over several decades Jill has been a community volunteer for a range of organisations, including being a driver for Meals on Wheels for the past 42 years, helping at Trade Aid in Napier, compiling, editing and printing St Paul’s Presbyterian Church newsletter for more than 35 years, and serving as treasurer for the parish, as well as for the Hawke’s Bay branch of the National Council of Women.

Her parents were both active in many organisations, she says, and it inspired her to become a volunteer herself. “If you see the need and you have the time, why shouldn’t you step up?”


Photo courtesy of Napier City Council

Like Jill, 2015 Award recipient Zita Smith says volunteering runs in her family. Her parents both volunteered for many organisations, and both her daughters have followed in their mum’s footsteps.

“It’s such a good feeling, it gives me a lot of pleasure to do something good for the community,” says Zita.
Zita has organised fundraisers for a wide range of charitable causes on top of her work co-ordinating the Ahuriri Maori Wardens Charitable Trust and her role as the Maori Wardens’ Napier ambassador.

These include the Napier Little Oaks project, KidsCan, and being part of the Napier Warehouse Inspiration team, which raised $3000 in eight days for Relay for Life.

Many celebrities have also been gifted korowai (Maori cloaks) hand made by Zita, including Rod Stewart, Lulu, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, Barry Gibbs and most recently Richie McCaw.

The ceremony at which the 2016 Civic Award recipients are announced will be held at the Civic Chambers on 5 September.

Nominations close on 1 July. For more information or to fill in a nomination form, go to www.napier.govt #civicawards