Recipients 2024

The Kāpiti Good Sorts Awards recipients were announced at a ceremony on 28 August. These awards help us celebrate the local legends who work tirelessly to make a difference for others within our community. The awards are based on public nominations and recognise individual residents who’ve made a lasting impact on people’s lives. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate the hardworking members of the community. We extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners.

Watch our coverage of the awards evening. 

Graham Priest – Taonga Maumahara Mayoral Award

Graham was an entrepreneur who made an impact in health, radio and politics. Among his achievements was his foundational involvement in Amcal NZ, which later became UniChem. He was also instrumental in setting up the local radio station 2XX FM, which was run out of the back of a caravan at Coastlands. 

When his health forced him into early retirement, Graham recognised the opportunity to help others and formed The Kāpiti Cardiac Club, connecting specialists to Kāpiti residents who struggled to make the journey to Wellington. 

Politics was another passion for Graham - many knew him from his years hosting the radio show ‘a political point of view’, which gave him the opportunity to discuss hot topics with politicians from local and central government. 

As a Jaycee and a Rotarian, Graham participated in many fundraisers – the benefits of which can be seen across Kāpiti today. Graham was a supporter, an encourager, and a questioner. Graham is described as “a good bloke who did good things in a world where good blokes are sometimes in short supply.”

Sir Jon Trimmer – Local Legend Award

Sir Jon Trimmer, known to friends as Jonty, is remembered as a ballet sensation and for his lifelong support of the arts. He was a quintessential part of the Royal New Zealand Ballet for many decades, as a dancer of note, and later as a dance administrator and dance director.  

His talent took him to the world stage – he trained at London’s Royal Ballet School and danced with Sadler's Wells Ballet, The Australian Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet, before returning to become the Royal New Zealand Ballet as their principal male dancer.  

In 1999 he became the only New Zealand dancer to be given a knighthood. He received several other honours and awards in his lifetime, including a Fulbright Fellowship, the Turnovsky Prize, and Wellingtonian of the Year. 

While Sir Jon was known for his classical ballet, he was also an accomplished actor, and an avid gardener. As a key supporter and patron of Te Raukura ki Kāpiti performing arts centre, the Sir Jon Trimmer Theatre was named in his honour and recognises the legacy he has left for future generations.  

A proud Paekākārikian, Sir Jon will be remembered as a friend to many and an extraordinarily creative and inspirational national character. 

Fletcher Martin – Rangatahi Mayoral Award

Fletcher is a multi-talented and dedicated student who gives 100 percent of himself to everything he does.  

Fletcher is a Year 13 House Captain for Paraparaumu College, and through this leadership, as well as years of entertaining local audiences on stage, Fletcher has become a well-recognised face on the Kāpiti Coast. He has been heavily involved in performing arts, including a role in the school’s musical, and was awarded the region’s ‘most outstanding individual performance’ at the Wellington Regional Shakespeare Festival. 

Fletcher’s artistic flair is matched with his academic achievements. 

He was one of just 500 students selected from around the world to participate in the London International Youth Science Forum, and has already received preferential entry into the highly competitive Health Science First Year at the University of Otago. He is a role model to our younger generation, showing that if you put in the hard mahi, the results will come.  

John Hayes – Mayoral Award

With a prestigious background in broadcasting spanning an incredible 60 years, John Hayes knows how to get his voice heard.   

John helped establish a number of local radio stations, and spent many years in the industry travelling the country before settling in Kāpiti 30 years ago, where many came to know him as the voice behind ‘Noon till 3’ on Beach FM.  

Politics became a passion that he immersed himself in, through study, broadcasting, and later, over the course of his career at Parliament, he worked for opposing parties, and penned speeches for numerous prime ministers. 

John has remained active our community, even in retirement. He served as chair on the Older Person's Council and helped Council adopt their Age Friendly Approach. He was also Chair of the Housing Taskforce and the driving force behind the establishment of the Kāpiti Marine Reserve.  

John has dedicated his career and many hours of his personal time to keeping locals informed and helping Kāpiti be an inclusive place where everyone’s opinions are heard and valued. 

Good Sorts Awards

The following people received Good Sorts Awards.

John Roger – Good Sorts Award

For over 50 years, John Roger has provided unwavering dedication and service to the Paraparaumu Beach Sea Scouts.  

Not only has he shaped the Sea Scouts community, he’s also had a positive impact on the wider Kāpiti Coast district, providing opportunities including mentorship programmes, hands-on practical skill development, and community service. 

John has made a lasting influence on the lives of countless young people, who have thrived with the support he has provided to the Paraparaumu Beach Sea Scouts and the Kāpiti Coast community. 

Matalena Vaeluaga – Good Sorts Award

Matalena Vaeluaga is celebrated for her tireless assistance to those in need and for offering her support with an open heart and a friendly smile.  

Her volunteer efforts have had a profound and positive impact on our community. For the past 30 years, Matalena has supported many in our community, including individuals with disabilities, those experiencing poverty, and recent immigrants to Aotearoa New Zealand.  

Matalena is a valuable member of our community who works to improve the lives of others, embodying genuine manaakitanga to everyone she encounters. 

Jessica Keltie – Good Sorts Award

Jessica Keltie has been the Kaitiaki and driving force behind the Kāpiti Crop Swap since it was established two years ago. 

With her vision to create events where the Kāpiti community can exchange garden produce while fostering personal connections, Jessica has made a significant positive impact. 

The Kāpiti Crop Swap has grown in popularity and is now held in Raumati, Waikanae and Ōtaki. Under her stewardship, the Kāpiti Crop Swap now provides benefits to a wider audience, allowing gardeners to share bounty and skills in the pursuit of a sustainable community. 

Robin Gunston – Good Sorts Award

Robin is well known for his commitment to, and protection of, the Waikanae awa and the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve. He has been instrumental in efforts to improve the conservation and public value of both of these natural assets in and freely gives his time and knowledge to the community for this cause. 

Over the years, Robin’s leadership and ‘hands-on’ contribution as chair for the Waikanae Estuary Care Group spans a wide range of achievements, including transitioning the group to a registered charity, and creating opportunities for engagement with local iwi, councils, schools and other groups to preserve the Waikanae Estuary for future generations.  

Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards

Winners and runners up in the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards 2024:

Arts and culture – Winner: Te Ara Korowai

Te Ara Korowai provides creative and wellbeing classes to our community to promote positive mental health. They are a peer-led service, with all of their staff and many of their volunteers identifying as having lived experience with mental health conditions.  

Te Ara Korowai run art, writing, dance, cooking and meditation classes. They provide opportunities for support, connection and opportunities for participation in meaningful activities. Last year Te Ara Korowai celebrated their 10th anniversary as the only community mental health centre in the wider area. 

Runner up: Kāpiti Arts Studio

Education and child/youth development – Winner: Work Ready Kāpiti

Work Ready Kāpiti is a charitable trust focused on connecting youth to mana-enhancing work opportunities. They deliver free to access programmes aimed at 15–24-year-olds through our local colleges and kura, as well as being available to youth outside of education 

The programmes Work Ready Kāpiti provide support youth who are looking to transition into the workforce to gain the skills and experience local employers are seeking, helping them to become contributing members of our community. 

Runner up: Birthright

Health and wellbeing and Supreme Award – Winner: Kāpiti Women's Centre

The Kāpiti Women’s Centre provides a unique and important service to our community. It provides a safe and welcoming place where women can go to do anything from drop in for a hot drink and a chat, right through to offering crisis help.  

Services at the centre are provided by a team of dedicated and caring volunteer centre workers who complete comprehensive training programmes to ensure the best care is provided.  

The centre offers the women’s refuge service in Kāpiti, free counselling, free crèche services, food parcels, free clothing and many classes to connect and educate women in Kāpiti. 

Runner up: The Kāpiti Kiwis Network Club

Heritage and environment – Winner: Discover Kāpiti Heritage Group

The Discover Kāpiti Heritage Group is a group of 11 museums on the Kāpiti Coast that tell the collective story of our local heritage.  

The group was created 11 years ago, and provides visitors with local historical information. Recently, they’ve run events such as the hugely popular museum clue hunt that has helped to educate our youth and engage a wider audience – including many from around the region.  

Runner up: The Waikanae Estuary Care Group

Sport and leisure – Winner: Waikanae Surfing Club

The Waikanae Surfing Club is a community and volunteer family-focused club. They provide Sunday surf fun and lessons through the warmer part of the year, supporting the enjoyment of our local beaches.   

Many Kāpiti tamariki have enjoyed learning to surf through the club and registrations are sought after every year. 

Runner up: Kāpiti Underwater Club

Rising star – Winner: Tū Mātau Ora

Tū Mātau Ora is a reasonably new organisation that was established to share Māori culture, te reo and tokanga through play. They have been instrumental in bringing traditional Māori games to the Kāpiti Coast, in particular the much-enjoyed game of ki o rahi.  

By creating a safe and inclusive space for school children of all ages, Tū Mātau Ora have helped our tamariki make connections through ki o rahi, and introduced the game to over 5,000 Kāpiti tamariki in the last 12 months.  

Runner up: Reset Cleans Wellington

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