The Kiwibank Local Hero Award - Te Pou Toko o te Tau recognises everyday people doing extraordinary things in their local hapori - communities over the past year. This award acknowledges the enormous contribution, sacrifice and commitment of Kiwi who have selflessly worked to make their local hapori a better place.
Pera Barrett
winner
Christmas can be a tough time for many Kiwi families, so Pera Barrett set out to make the festive season more joyful for children in need.
He started Wellington Shoebox Christmas in 2014, building a team of volunteers to deliver Christmas presents to 80 children at a decile 1 school in Cannons Creek. This Christmas, Pera and his team delivered gifts to more than 4500 children at 35 schools.