Thirty-four Western Bay residents and groups were named as finalists for the 2026 Western Bay Community Awards, recognising their contributions to the region through volunteering, sustainability, youth leadership and more.
The finalists were selected from more than 100 nominations, with judges Paul Geoghegan, Soifua Tupou and Vicki Semple tasked with narrowing down the field.
Geoghegan said the calibre of entries reflected the strength of the community.
“A strong community makes life better for everyone. When people connect and support each other, amazing things happen – it’s how we solve most of the challenges we face,” he said.
The awards, held annually in March, aimed to honour those who uplift others – often quietly and without expectation.
Finalists included individuals who organised local clean-ups, grassroots initiatives, not-for-profit groups driving change, and young people leading with empathy and courage.
The 2026 ceremony was scheduled for Thursday, March 19, with winners announced across seven categories: Community Event, Sustainable Future, Diversity and Inclusion, Heart of the Community, Youth Spirit, Volunteer of the Year, and Best Collaboration.
A People’s Choice Award would also be decided by public vote in February.
Finalists would be featured in an online showcase launching in the new year, with videos introducing each nominee.
The awards were supported by Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Previous winners said the recognition extended beyond the awards night.
Donna Pfefferle, who won Volunteer of the Year in 2025, said the exposure had led to increased support for projects in Waihī Beach.
“The awards exposure has resulted in people coming forward to help with additional donations or support to local projects in Waihī Beach.
“Being recognised as a finalist is amazing, but the awards itself has a lot of teeth and really shows what people can do when working together,” she said.
Finalists for the 2026 Western Bay Community Awards:
Community Event Award
- 100th Katikati A&P Show
- Katikati Festival of Cultures
- Tauranga Diwali Festival
- Tauranga Primary Schools’ Music Festival
- Tauranga STEMFest
Sustainable Future Award
- Maketū Ongatoro Wetland Society
- Rotoehu Ecological Trust
- Space for Nature
- STEAM-Ed Charitable Trust
Diversity and Inclusion Award
- Bay of Plenty Sports and Cultural Club
- Casita Community Shop
- Momenta Charitable Trust
- Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust
- Youth Voices Action
Heart of the Community Award
- Army of Aunties
- Cancer Society WBOP – Tauranga Transport to Treatment Client Drivers
- Good Bitches Baking Tauranga
- Hunt for Good
- Tauranga Miniature Railway
Youth Spirit Award
- Blessing Pasi
- Israel Tapuika Rota-Bond
- JJ Niles
- Malachi Steel
- Spencer McNeil
Volunteer of the Year Award
- Andrew McDowell
- Bill Webb
- Jason Rive
- Julian Fitter
- Sue Walsh
Best Collaboration Award
- Here to Help U and Youth Voices Action
- Live Well Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services
- Surfing for Farmers
- Under the Stars and Orange Sky
- Young at Heart Festival
Invitations to the awards ceremony would be sent to nominees, nominators and finalists early next year. The event would also be open to the public.
More information is available at: https://www.tect.org.nz/community-awards-2026/