Source: Porirua City Council
This year’s Porirua’s Civic Awards highlight and recognise volunteers in our community who are helping to make our city a more vibrant, connected and welcoming place.
They were recognised in an awards ceremony at Pātaka on Tuesday night with Ngāti Toa Kaumatua Dr Taku Parai opening the ceremony, and Councillor Ross Leggett as MC.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker thanked all of the recipients for their service, noting that there were two husband and wife teams amongst this year’s Civic Award recipients.
“I am so proud to live and work in Porirua. Our city is made up of kind, generous and dedicated people who give their time and energy making a difference for everyone in our city.
“You all have an outstanding sense of community and a desire to be part of what makes Porirua a great place to live. Thank you all for your service to our city.”
2026 Mayoral Award recipient for services to refugees settled in Porirua:
Jenni Norton has worked as a Red Cross volunteer since 2016 and has helped many refugee families who have come to New Zealand. She has made a huge contribution to their lives and her generosity is legend in the Syrian community, spending hundreds of hours with lawyers helping families with tough reunification issues and to deal with the physical and mental effects of the trauma they have suffered.
Jenni set up an Arabic School in Porirua and organised trained teachers to run a culture and language programme for the children of Arabic refugee families. To do this they had to set up an incorporated society which was a totally unfamiliar concept to them. Jenni taught the community leaders how to set up and run these organisations and how governance works in New Zealand.
The 2026 Civic Awards recipients were:
– Brent Tuohy, a driving force behind the Paremata Plimmerton Rugby Football Club and the Plimmerton community for more than three decades, with an extraordinary legacy of leadership, commitment, and generosity. His 30 years of service has left a lasting mark of excellence, inclusion, and community strength, making him a truly deserving candidate for civic recognition.
– Evelina Gaualofa has dedicated many years to Tokelau culture in Porirua, helping young people stand proud in their heritage. Her commitment has strengthened participation in Tokelau language, music, and performing arts, especially among children and young people. This includes teaching songs, dance, language, and values, while also providing transport, fundraising, encouragement, and practical care.
Together with her husband Alfred, Evelina has enriched Porirua’s cultural life and strengthened whānau, youth confidence, and community wellbeing.
– Alfred Masoe has given his time and energy strengthening Tokelau culture in Porirua. He has helped young people stand proud in their heritage, with a sense of belonging, resilience, and intergenerational connection. Alfred has enriched Porirua’s cultural life and strengthened whānau, youth confidence, and community wellbeing through quiet, consistent, and deeply meaningful service. Through humble but powerful service, he continues to build a stronger, more inclusive, and culturally vibrant community for all.
– Brienela Tauira-Kisona’s long-standing service is a powerful example of community leadership and cultural commitment in Porirua. Brienela has tutored local school groups for the Te Kiwa Nui Festival, giving countless hours to rehearsals, choreography, language support, costume coordination, and pastoral care. She has also helped the Porirua Tokelau Sharks prepare for the major Tokelau Easter Festival, the largest Tokelau gathering in the world.
Brienela, along with her husband Fredwyn, ensures that young people are not only performance ready, but also connected to language, identity, and cultural values.
– Fredwyn Kisona’s service over many years is an exemplar of community leadership and cultural commitment in Porirua. He has guided the Porirua Tokelau Sharks as they prepare for the major Tokelau Easter Festival, tutored local school groups for the Te Kiwa Nui Festival, ensuring young people are not only performance ready, but also connected to language, identity, and cultural values. Fredwyn demonstrates generosity, tautua, and cultural pride while serving others and his dedication is making a lasting difference.
The Porirua Civic Awards have been running since 1993 and these local heroes deserve our thanks for their selfless and generous service, often over many years.