35 volunteers, for purpose community groups, events and collaborations have been named finalists for the 2027 Western Bay Community Awards, with winners to be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 18 March 2027.
These are the people and groups who show up when their community needs them. They run the events that bring us together, look after our environment, open their doors to those who need a hand, and give their time without asking for anything in return. Much of this work happens quietly and the 2027 Western Bay Community Awards are here to shone a light on these efforts.
Mel Tata, Paul Geoghegan and Vicki Semple formed the 2027 judging panel, selecting the finalists from over a hundred nominations across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.
As Judge Paul Geoghegan put it, “It is such a tough job to pick a select few of finalists from the nominations we receive.”
“These are the people and groups that don’t have to do the work they do, they choose to do it and that’s the essence of the Western Bay Community Awards.”
The for-purpose sector is full of positive work, dedicated to having a positive impact on Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty or specific communities within the region.
This years finalists consist of new collaborations collectively showcasing the impact groups can have on the community when they work together for a common cause. Along with many other new finalists and some returning finalists from previous years who have continued to have success in their area of expertise.
The Western Bay Community Awards are a chance to showcase a number of finalists from a diverse pool of volunteers, events, organisations, projects and initiatives that help the community thrive and be a better place to live.
The finalists for the 2027 Western Bay Community Awards are:
Community Event Award
Matariki Light Up the Waterways 2026
Tauranga Diwali Festival 2025
Tauranga Kaumātua Olympics 2026
Tauranga Primary Schools Music Festival 2026
YouthFest 2026
Sustainable Future Award
Bay Conservation Alliance
Ōmokoroa Bird Group
PiPs
STEAM-Ed Charitable Trust
Sustainable Backyards
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Bay of Plenty Sports & Cultural Club
Island of Misfits
Multicultural Tauranga
Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust
Spectrum Connections
Heart of the Community Award
Cancer Society Transport to Treatment Client Drivers
Good Bitches Baking Tauranga
MenzShed Ōmokoroa
Pirirākau Hauora
Tauranga Riding for the Disabled
Youth Spirit Award
Aiza Mustasam
Beau MacDuff
Hannah Richards
Milli Banbury
Volunteer of the Year Award
Brent Warner
Dave MacCalman
Dorothy Hoven
Kristine Gaze
Tom Scott
Wayne Dobson
Best Collaboration Award
Hunt for Good and Kura Kai
MenzShed Ōmokoroa Garden and Ōmokoroa Community Church Foodbank
Waihī Beach Surfing for Farmers, BOP Rural Support Trust and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Service
Under the Stars and Bridging the Gap Community Health Clinic
Waipuna Hospice and Good Bitches Baking
Locals can get to know each finalist through the online showcase, which starts in early January 2027 with a short video introducing each one. Voting for the People’s Choice Award will open in February so everyone has the chance to support their favourite.
Winners will be announced at the 2027 Western Bay Community Awards ceremony on Thursday 18 March 2027 at Holy Trinity Tauranga. Nine awards will be presented on the night, one for each of the seven categories, plus the People’s Choice Award and the special Lifetime Service Award. It’s an evening to cheer on the volunteers, charities, groups and events who make the Western Bay a great place to live.
The Western Bay Community Awards are delivered in partnership by Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Manawa Trust (formerly TECT Community Trust), Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
Invites to the ceremony will be sent to all nominees, nominators, finalists and key stakeholders in January, however the awards ceremony will be open to the general public.
To find out more, visit www.manawatrust.nz/community-awards/
