h-member-login

MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER  header call 
Melody sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021454814
Nadia n.lewis@xtra.co.nz 021677978
Reporting: Julia news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 0274641673
 Accounts: Richard info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021678358

 

Archives

Recognition for tireless ambassadors


Bet Nelley (1)-387The word ‘merit’ hardly seems enough to describe the debt that the district owes to two woman recipients of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to their respective communities in the recent Queen’s Birthday honours list.

From two different directions we have Betty Nelley and Linda Clapham who have both shown tremendous tenacity, foresight and integrity in the management and promotion of two major concerns unique to Northland.

Betty’s deeds are little short of legendary holding several different posts within the Matakohe Kauri Museum before being elected to CEO in 2006 and propelling it to award-winning, national and international recognition – and also prompting her to publish three books about Kauri.

“I’m humbled to receive the award,” says Betty “as I could not have achieved what has been achieved without the help of those who went before me and the ongoing support of locals and volunteers who shared the vision.”

Betty’s appetite for history, and love of New Zealand generally, are still being fed through her current position as tour guide with Grand Pacific Coaches.

Wellsford woman Linda Clapham was instrumental in the formation of the Te Hana Community Development Trust from 2002 and the woman behind a Maori tourism venture which helped spark life into the small Northland town despite Council deciding the project should be abandoned and despite the social issues of Te Hana at that time. Linda was a foundation member and later the chief executive working unpaid for several years to get the project off the ground.

Today, the centrepiece of their rapidly developing complex is a replica 17th-century Maori village, complete with raised pa, classrooms, an art gallery, and a huge temporary carving and weaving studio and more. Among the courses on offer are kapa haka, basic computing, grow-your-own vegetables and elementary construction.

Motivated by community support and pride, the necessity to preserve the culture and recognise the value of and foster tourism at the gateway to the north, Ms Clapham is also active within the Guardians of the Kaipara group, protecting the unspoiled natural characteristics of the Kaipara Harbour

Our district is indeed fortunate to be home to two such worthy ambassadors.

LOCALS: Betty Nelley (pictured) and Linda Clapham have been honoured for their services to the Kaipara.

By Rob Pooley

ABOUT US
  CHECK IT OUT
The Mangawhai Focus is the only 'Mangawhai' community Newspaper and is the paper of choice within the local area.

For more information on distribution and circulation please 
click here
 

Directory

Archives

Contact Us


 

 

 

FOLLOW US

facebook   twitter   174855-378

CONTACT US


Sales: 021 454814
  sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Editorial: 027 4641673
  news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz
Office: 021 678357
  info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz