Civic Honours Awards Recipients

Civic Honours awards were presented to:

Allyson Bramwell  - Community Affairs

Allyson is described as a ‘volunteer extraordinaire’ who is completely passionate about our community and is being recognised for her involvement in a wide range of volunteer roles.

Allyson has been the lead for the catering team for the Wahine-Toa Women of Courage Programme which is full weekend facilitated by Levin Police to support women who have been in volatile relationships, to challenge themselves, push past personal boundaries and reach their goals.

The catering team organises the ingredients needed, sources donations and carries the food, appliances and equipment to a secluded bush location. Meals are prepared in a make-shift bush kitchen in challenging conditions and includes a five star meal on the final day.

Once a year, Allyson and her team treat the ladies to a day of glamour and pampering. This includes beautiful clothes to wear that they get to keep, hair and make-up sessions and a meal.  Again, this takes weeks of preparation and Allyson goes out into the community to request donations to make the day memorable.

For five years Allyson helped prepare breakfast for the CACTUS Programme, which the Police facilitate along with Waiopehu College where student participants are challenged mentally and physically over an eight week programme.

Allyson is the volunteer secretary/treasurer for Blue Light – a registered charity that works in partnership with the Police to deliver an extensive range of youth programmes and activities, Allyson has assisted with many events and excursions. 

Allyson has been instrumental in school fundraisers over many years for Ōhau School which has included a Mother’s Day High Tea in 2021 that raised over $6,000 and over $10,000 for the School’s Futsal team. Allyson also supported netball fundraisers for Waiopehu College, over a five year period. 

She was the Treasurer for the Levin AFC Football Club for eight years and ran the kitchen at the clubrooms providing meals for visiting teams. Allyson is currently the volunteer secretary/treasurer for the Horowhenua Abuse Liaison Team.

Allyson follows in her father’s footsteps and receives a Civic Honour to recognise her extensive volunteer work across many areas of our community.

Rob Fifita-Tovo - Service to Pacific Peoples

In 2010 a need for better services and support for Pacific Peoples was identified through poor statistics and outcomes. Rob and colleague Lusa Pasene set about to strengthen Pacific networks and work to improve social, education, health and wellbeing outcomes.

Thus, Fale Pasifika Horowhenua was formed, with Rob as the inaugural Chairperson. Rob approached others to join the committee, who were also passionate about the Pacific Peoples and together they worked to improve outcomes, and develop a flourishing, proud Pacific community. Over the last twelve years Rob has held Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson positions, and has been instrumental in many initiatives for the Pacific and wider community.

This includes the very first Pasifika Celebration Day in 2011, which celebrated its 10 year anniversary last year. The annual event involves over 200 performers each year, from many Pacific Island nations, of all generations.  The event brings together both locals and visitors from out of the district and attracts an audience of 4-5,000 annually.

Since 2013 Rob has supported many Pasifika Youth Jandal Jam events involving 90-120 college students each year.  This involves a forum with motivational speakers which Rob has often facilitated, and an evening show which is a showcase of youth culture and talent where parents, aiga and the community show their support for our young people in their culture and identity.

In terms of improving education outcomes for Pacific young people, in 2012-14 Rob was part of a Pacific Education Working Group which included intermediate and college principals. Rob was a significant influence within this group, supporting church visits and making vital introductions between working group members and Church Ministers and congregations. During this time, the PowerUp initiative and Pasifika Success Talanoa trainings were established. All of these initiatives were aimed at increasing attendance rates and achievement, improving parental engagement in their children's education, and teaching professionals Pacific Island culture and ways, in order for them to be understand and teach Pacific children.

In 2020, through the Provincial Growth Fund, an opportunity arose for Fale Pasifika to work with Council to apply to the Pasifika Churches Renovation fund. Rob was on the working party who worked with contractors and church representatives to scope the renovation, and once the funding of $1.46M was approved, continued to liaise between the PGF, Council and the Church.

Rob is being recognised for his extensive service to Pacific Peoples and is the first Pacific Person to receive a Civic Honour in the Horowhenua District.

Jim & Sarah Harper - Services to Conservation

Through an impressive series of conservation initiatives and community work, Jim and Sarah Harper have made a substantial contribution to Foxton’s heritage look and its revitalisation as a visitor destination.

In the knowledge that Horowhenua District Council’s 2017 investment in Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom would create a major impetus to turn Foxton into a culture, arts and heritage destination, they undertook no less than three major restoration and renovation projects.

As a result of Sarah and Jim’s efforts as volunteer-but-expert conservationists, Foxton now has two outstandingly beautiful heritage facades.  The late 1800s Foxton Racing Club and Manawatū Herald buildings bask again in their former 19th century glory, plus the oldest surviving 'Sunnyside' residential mid-1800s cottage is one of the oldest in the country. 

Jim and Sarah’s Harbour Street cottage compares very favourably with Wellington's Nairn Street Cottage that is restored and operated by Museums Wellington. Museum experts have commented how the Harpers’ have done a superior restoration job, and Jim is taking advice from Museums Wellington on how to finalise the exhibition displays in the cottage.

In addition to restoration works, Jim and Sarah have been closely involved as volunteers in MAVtech museum (incl. chairmanship) and the Foxton Historical Society. Jim currently is co-chair of the Foxton Historical Society and is involved in saving the heritage Court House building for future generations.

As a member of the Save Our River Trust (SORT), Jim was indispensable in the conservation, restoration and placement of the 150 year old historic anchor found on the river bank in the Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park. 

In other voluntary contributions, Jim’s support for the Oranjehof Museum has been absolutely invaluable. He fully restored a 200-year old Friesian clock, helped repair several damaged museum pieces, has provided expert conservation advice, has assisted with placing a high value replica Abel Tasman ship (De Zeehaen) in Oranjehof, and after two days of solid efforts, managed to open a 1630s 'treasure chest' in the Abel Tasman room that had been locked for a number of years.

Thank you Jim and Sarah for your dedication to the conservation and heritage of Foxton, a warm congratulations to you both.

Jeff Jones - Community Affairs

Jeff is known as the handyman extraordinaire around town and has dedicated countless hours supporting and helping our community. He is described as a ‘good bugger’ and a bit of character, and it appears that Jeff has had his finger in many a pie and those clubs and organisations have been extremely grateful to have someone like Jeff who just gets on with the job.

Having spent his earlier days growing up on a farm in Shannon, Jeff being a member of the Deer Stalkers and familiar with the territory, supported Search & Rescue efforts for many years. Jeff was involved with the Four Wheel Drive Club and being an enthusiastic Ham radio operator, his knowledge and experience has been invaluable with both search and rescue and civil defence over some 35 years.

The Levin Car Club has been another club Jeff has supported as a member of the Levin CB Radio Club. In 2021, the Levin Car Club awarded Jeff with a plaque for over thirty years of service to the club which has included rescues and marshalling for car rallies and sprints.

Jeff has volunteered for the Great Forest Run for almost 25 year as a radio marshall and supporting event organisers with picking up injured athletes when needed. 

Another community event that has had the support of Jeff is the Medieval Market where he has been there for the pack in and out, and with disposing of the waste. Jeff has been doing this for over twenty years, again in the background and getting stuck in.

In addition to all of that, Jeff was a Scout Leader for 8 years with the Shannon Scouts, helped establish the Rural Fire Service for which he was a crew leader for 16 years, was a member of the Levin Fire Brigade and a volunteer with Levin Riding for the Disabled and Levin Rotary.

Jeff worked for the Borough and District Council, and although these were paid positions, he continuously went above and beyond his 40 hour working week. For 32 years Jeff managed at The Pot which is where Council disposes of its wastewater – he helped develop the site, planted and pruned the trees, and would often be at work at very early hours of the morning getting the irrigation going.

Jeff, this Civic Honour is in recognition of your commitment and commendable service to the community.

Stewart Thompson - Community Affairs

Stewart has had an affiliation with many Horowhenua community groups over the past 20 years. His willingness and commitment to lead or be a member of a board, or to simply get stuck in and get the job done, has been invaluable for many clubs and groups.

One of these clubs is the Levin Golf Club where Stewart was a committee member for many years and from 2007–2014 held the position of President Chairperson. During this time, under Stewart’s guidance, the club flourished and went to a new level to be what it is today. Stewart implemented course and business procedures that stood the club in good stead and continually strived to create a golf course and club where members and visitors enjoyed playing and socialising.

Along with the support of the committee, Stewart set up a programme to work with junior golfers which is still in place today. The Manawatū Wanganui Eagles Golfing Society recognised the work and effort Stewart had put into not only Levin Golf Club but the Manawatū-Wanganui golf association as well, which resulted in Stewart being inducted into the Eagles Golfing Society of NZ.

Stewart served on the Life Education Trust Board for over six years and was active in fundraising activities and supporting the educator in their work.  These programmes provide lessons in a mobile classroom that align with the New Zealand Curriculum and the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.

In 2020 Stewart was appointed as the Chairperson of Age Concern Horowhenua and over the past two years has made countless improvements to the policies and procedures, which has resulted in a stable and structured governance approach. Stewart provided guidance for the new manager and supported learning and development.  Stewart has been hugely active in the fundraising space, at public events and he even volunteers in the office to assist the team. Under Stewart’s leadership, Age Concern Horowhenua has gone from strength to strength in providing invaluable services and support for the elderly, and their families.