Celebrate a
Community Hero

I Am Hope and Moko Pounamu are joining forces to pay homage to the unsung hero’s in communities around NZ.

Who is your Community Hero?

Think about the people who’ve made a difference in your life or the lives of others:

  • It might be a teacher who was there for you during a hard time,
  • a school counsellor who always goes above and beyond,
  • a friend who needs to be acknowledged for the good they do,
  • someone in the community who works with the tamariki or youth.

... we want to acknowledge the incredible people who are doing amazing things for the youth of NZ.

What’s in it for the Winner? The chosen Community Hero will be gifted a Moko Pounamu Porohita as well as I Am Hope Merch.

Check out the I Am Hope Moko Pounamu range here.

All entries to be received no later than 3rd November 2025.

Community Hero Nominees
Bessie from East Auckland – Nominated by Chris
Mina from Kaiwaka – Nominated by Katarina
Alex from Auckland – Nominated by Nick
Hayley from Hokitika – Nominated by Georgia
Terina from Takaanini – Nominated by Roxanne
Diane from Christchurch – Nominated by Sally
Nikki from Southbridge – Nominated by Rachel
Bi Kun from Auckland – Nominated by Ruataupare
Khuri from Nelson – Nominated by Bill
Mel from Woodville – Nominated by Meihana
Raiha from Invercargill – Nominated by Tania
Trey-zell from Stokes Valley – Nominated by Kaylah
Awhina from Oamaru – Nominated by Micheala
Marie and Celia from Takiwātanga Whakatere – Nominated by Celia
Scott from Dunedin – Nominated by Jules
Shane from Taranaki – Nominated by Stacey
Maraea from Rotorua – Nominated by Daniel
Stacey from Levin – Nominated by Laura
Maraea from Dannevirke – Nominated by Rocky
Futi from South Auckland – Nominated by Kirimangu
Logan from Motueka – Nominated by Micaela
Taniwha from Whanganui – Nominated by Hauora
Manuel from Glen Innes – Nominated by Marcia
Jeanne from Dannevirke – Nominated by Rosie
Donna from Invercargill – Nominated by Takamori
Anahera from Katikati – Nominated by Hana
Stan from Katikati – Nominated by Hana
Komene from Kaikohekohe – Nominated by Catharine
Zeki from Auckland – Nominated by Aitor
Linda from Waitara – Nominated by Hakirau
Barnard from Gisborne – Nominated by John
Rangi from Orauta – Nominated by Aroha
Kahu from Ōtautahi – Nominated by Gray
Steve from Invercargill – Nominated by Stacey
Barney from Henderson – Nominated by Frana
Allison from Manurewa – Nominated by Hoy Neng
Tics from Otorohanga – Nominated by Gretchen
Troy from Wellington – Nominated by Donna
Maxine from Marlborough – Nominated by Jo
Charne from Auckland – Nominated by Jenna
Stuart from Waipukurau – Nominated by Alice
Jaci from Taupo – Nominated by Katie
Cory from Wellington – Nominated by Victoria
Cheryl from Patumāhoe – Nominated by Hayley
Dilmini from Christchurch – Nominated by Shantha
Maria from Clendon – Nominated by Pamela
Sam from Tapanui – Nominated by Vicki
Amanda from Ōtaki – Nominated by Orini
Camille from Hastings – Nominated by Fiona, Clarissa, Danielle, Lesley, Amber, Hana, Caren, Lakshitha Prasad, Sharnel, Mark, Glenn, Jeasel
Te Rika from Rotorua – Nominated by Maia
Diana from Whanagrei – Nominated by Killarney
Janiek from Paeroa – Nominated by Lisa
Alan from Onewhero – Nominated by Shirley
Jazz from Matamata – Nominated by Leigh
Senpai from Woodville – Nominated by Kyla
Sarah from Kerikeri – Nominated by Toni
Gary and Pippinz from Stratford – Nominated by Julie and Sabine
Charlie from Taumarunui – Nominated by Denise
Lynda and Wayne from Kutarere – Nominated by Tess
Alexander from Gordonton – Nominated by Emma
Charlie from Moerewa – Nominated by Florence
Zane from Invercargill – Nominated by Kiel
Charne from Beachlands – Nominated by Amy
Benjamin from Christchurch – Nominated by Piwi
Christopher from Upper Hutt – Nominated by Jemma
Toni from Upper Hutt – Nominated by Jemma
Katie from Marton – Nominated by Hannah
Janelle from Ruatoria– Nominated by Jade
Shelley from Paraparaumu – Nominated by Debbie
Dilmini from Christchurch – Nominated by Sasmitha
Charne from Beachlands – Nominated by Amy
Kim from Upper Hutt – Nominated by Lily
Faith from Papatoetoe – Nominated by Lexi
Nancye from Moerewa/Kawakawa – Nominated by Vicki
Denise from Waitakere – Nominated by Sonja
Marina from Whangaparaoa – Nominated by Heleina
Martin from Manurewa – Nominated by Catherine
Rachel from Christchurch – Nominated by Trish
Gary from Taranaki – Nominated by Joy
Jan from Taupo – Nominated by Miria and Teorani
Nicola from Rangiora – Nominated by Tia

Nominations are now closed.

Thank you to everyone who nominated a Community Hero. We’re truly moved by the incredible stories shared from across Aotearoa.