David Wiari of Raetihi and Gary Jacobs of Taumarunui are Ruapehu’s 2022 Citizen of Year Award recipients for their significant, voluntary community work over many years PHOTO SUPPLIED
TAUMARUNUI’S Gary Jacobs and David Wiari, of Raetihi, are the Ruapehu District Council’s 2022 Citizens of the Year. Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton said Gary and David were worthy recipients who deserved to be recognised for huge efforts they had put into their local communities and by extension the Ruapehu district as a whole. “They’re great examples of the type of people who work for many years doing the important mahi that underpins the fabric of our communities. Ruapehu citizen awards are an opportunity to give people like Gary and David the recognition and thanks that they deserve,” Weston said. The award comprises the Northern Ruapehu Citizen Award, which is presented to a resident of the council’s National Park, Taumarunui or Ohura ward area, while the Waimarino-Waiouru Award covers the southern half of the district. Gary received the northern award for his many years of service to the Taumarunui community, being described as an “unsung hero” in his nomination. At present he is deputy chief officer of the Taumarunui Fire Brigade, where he has served for over 30 years and is much respected for his commitment to his crew and their welfare. In addition to his volunteer fire brigade work, he regularly donates his time and skills to helping out with a wide range of other community projects. These include multiple projects for local schools, helping beautify Manson Garden, Night Owl patrols keeping the community safe and sponsorship of the high school football team. In accepting his award, Gary said anything he did for his community was a pleasure and most of what he had achieved was as part of a team. “I am just a cog in a big wheel.” David was awarded the Waimarino-Waiouru Citizen Award for his social and spiritual leadership within his community and for his marae, hapū and iwi. For more than 35 years, David had been dedicated to the kaupapa of Iwi Mau-rakau in support of his community. This included being on-call to respond to issues and delivery of the Man Up Programme, helping men overcome dysfunction in their lives and putting them on a path to becoming positive role models in their own right. David said he felt humbled at receiving the award, adding that he hadn’t expected any recognition for what he did. “I do it because of my love of the people,” he said.
