The Times is recognising the many wonderful people in our local east Auckland community who go out of their way to help others with our regular Community Hero Award.
If you know someone who’s doing amazing things in our community, please email 50 to 100 words describing why they deserve this recognition, highlighting specific actions they’ve taken to benefit our community, with your and their contact details and a high-resolution photo of them if possible to chrish@times.co.nz.
Be sure to include details about what they’ve been doing, the impact they’ve made, and how long they’ve been involved in these efforts.
The award is sponsored by New World Howick. Recipients will receive a $50 New World gift card and will be featured in our newspaper and on our website.
The latest recipient is Vani Kapoor.
She’s nominated by Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga manager Louise Boswell, who writes: “Vani has been an interviewer/life member at Citizens Advice Bureau Pakuranga for 10 years.
“Between 2014-2023, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) granted several Auckland CABs funds to provide a service to new settlers to New Zealand.
“Vani took on the role of paid co-ordinator for this service and managed the provision of workshops to new migrants on topics such as employment, Inland Revenue advice, starting a business and navigating health services in New Zealand, CV and letter writing, and immigration advice.
“When funding ceased, Vani took on the task to arrange very successful and well attended bi-monthly community network meetings.
“This gave local organisations a chance to collaborate and connect with our local community.
“She successfully obtained a grant from Howick Local Board to fund these meetings and also to continue the workshops for migrants.
“Her role means we can continue to extend our reach and profile with new migrants and supports us to be even more responsive to our changing community.
“Vani is a star in our CAB team!”
- Nominate a Community Hero online at www.times.co.nz/nominate.
