HB ‘Local Heroes’ announced

Each year, Kiwibank awards a New Zealand Local Hero of the Year. The New Zealander of the Year for 2022 was Sir Tā Tipene O’Regan.

Now their 2023 selection process is underway, with the final winner to be announced next March.

Initially, Kiwibank has announced 100 ‘Local Hero Medalists’ from around the country, including four from Hawke’s Bay, who will now be further considered.

Says Kiwibank: “Individually, they are everyday people having meaningful impact in their respective communities. Collectively, these outstanding individuals remind us of the true spirit of New Zealand, and reflect the mana of this prestigious award.”

Kudos to the four Hawke’s Bay Local Hero Medalists:

Craig McDougall 

For ten years Craig McDougall has been mentoring Hawke’s Bay’s youth. The boxing bronze medalist has turned many lives around with his skills as a boxing coach, he shares generously his knowledge and discipline with young men needing focus. Craig’s aware that young men in the region often face a choice between good decisions and bad, and he’s keen to support them to make more positive life choices. Through sport he role models the opportunities open to young people, and is respected as a ‘great man’ and an ‘inspirational life-changer’. Outside of the gym he’s used his business skills to help aspiring entrepreneurs set-up their own companies and provided the mentoring they’ve needed to succeed. He doesn’t forget anyone he’s helped, and they certainly don’t forget him.

Denise Eaglesome-Karekare

Denise Eaglesome-Karekare is a staunch supporter of young people in Wairoa. She has held and holds a number of roles that support the community, including: as a member of the Wairoa District Council, a Youth Services Coordinator at Wairoa College, a Wairoa College Board of Trustees member and is the CEO of the Wairoa Young Achievers Trust. She is Chair of the J H Mitchell Takitimu Memorial Scholarship that assists Māori students to go on to further education. Denise is the programme coordinator for Wairoa’s Cactus (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support) programme which aims to provide youth with the opportunity to improve their self-management, time-management and self-discipline. Denise is constantly looking for ways to improve life for the people of Wairoa, from delivering free firewood for kaumatua, to arranging groceries for vulnerable people during Covid-19 lockdowns, she encourages others to reach their full potential.

India Logan-Riley

Addressing the United Nations Climate Negotiations in 2021 was a natural next step for India Logan-Riley. India’s environmental work has garnered international praise since 2015 when the young New Zealander started attending climate negotiations. In 2017, as a founding member of Te Ara Whatu, an indigenous youth climate action collective, they represented Aotearoa’s communities at the 23rd Session of the UN Climate Talks in Germany and as such formed the first ever youth delegation to attend the talks. Awarded Stanford University’s Bright Award in 2021, India was acknowledged for their extensive work for climate protection. With a focus on indigenous solutions and rights, India’s powerful oratory skills and articulate call for environmental action is compelling the world to listen.

Sukhdeep Singh

Celebrating a vibrant and multi-cultural society, Sukhdeep Singh works to create an inclusive community. The Hawke’s Bay resident spent 12 years volunteering for the Multicultural Association, partnering with others in the region to help foster connection between people, and to support all residents from all backgrounds. Undertaking many roles from secretary to treasurer, board member and president, Sukhdeep has steered the association successfully, especially through the pandemic: delivering 700 food parcels, working with ethnic communities to set up comfortable vaccination spaces that got 400 people inoculated, and by working with Civil Defence to provide on the ground support. Sukhdeep has also raised over $30,000 for the Hawkes Bay Cancer Society, and started a Breakfast and Homework Club that supports low decile primary schools provide kai for their students, filling their stomaches and enriching their learning. In 2020 Sukhdeep received a Hastings District Council Civic Honour Award and helped the council develop its first multicultural strategy.