Outstanding community contributions honoured

Sixteen young people in Auckland diocese were recognised and given the Tu Kahikatea Awards for their outstanding contribution to their communities.

The awards were handed by Vicar-General Msgr Bernard Kiely on November 24, at St Patrick’s Cathedral during the final diocesan youth Mass for the year.

Awards were given for three categories: community life, evangelisation and leadership development.

Those who received the awards in the community life category were Genevieve Joyce, Zheng Tan and Romwell Ramos from St Joseph’s Takapuna; Lemalie Aukuso, Ivona Tamiano, and Fiva Laufili from Vinnies; Gene Paul Kiely from The Logos Project, Marist Youth Development and Nga Tupu Logos Community House; and Laura McLellan from The Logos Project, Marist Youth Development.

Recipients of the awards in evangelisation were Rachel Wilson (Good Shepherd, Balmoral) and

Dominic Schryvers and Laura Schryvers (St Patrick’s Cathedral).

Recognised for leadership development were Vinnies Christopher Tenisio, Theresa Filipo, and Daniel Pavihi; The Logos Project, Marist Youth Development’s Claudia McLellan; and Tutangata Tikiora Ama from the Cook Islands Catholic Community of Auckland.

The Youth and Young Adult team leader Teresa McNamara was also given a formal farewell at the diocesan youth Mass.

The youth team presented her with a Koru pounamu and a frame of memorable photos during her tenure as head of the group.

Miss McNamara served the diocese in this role for the past eight years. She was recently appointed as Projects, Systems and Performance Manager. 

Some 90 young people going to the Life Teen Summer Camp in Otaki in January, 2020, were also given a blessing at the Mass.