Celebrating Franklin’s Conservation Champions at the Inaugural Taiao Conservation Awards
Volunteers are the quiet force behind thriving ecosystems and resilient communities.
From restoring habitats and protecting native species to maintaining trap lines, removing pest plants, monitoring wildlife, and supporting community projects, their collective efforts create lasting benefits for both people and nature.
Every hour volunteered is an act of kaitiakitanga—strengthening connections to place, fostering community, and helping protect the natural treasures that make our region unique.
The inaugural Taiao Conservation Awards, held on 30 April, celebrated those contributions. Bringing together conservation champions from across the six southernmost Auckland local board areas, the awards recognised the individuals, groups, and projects making a meaningful difference for te taiao. It was an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication, collaboration, and care that often happens behind the scenes, while sharing inspiring stories of environmental stewardship and community action.
Recognising Franklin’s Conservation Champions
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the Franklin recipients and finalists who were recognised for their outstanding contributions.
Taonga Tangata Award Winner: Anna McNaughton – Awhitu Coast Care
For more than 30 years, Anna McNaughton has been a driving force for conservation on the Awhitu Peninsula. Bringing together an extensive knowledge of native plants and birds, a strong scientific background, and an unwavering commitment to action, Anna has helped shape conservation outcomes across the region.
She was instrumental in establishing Awhitu Coast Care and has played a key role in growing the initiative through advocacy, community engagement, and strong local and national partnerships.
Anna leads by example. Through her willingness to share knowledge, support others, and consistently contribute her time and energy, she has inspired countless people to become involved in caring for the environment. Her legacy can be seen not only in the landscapes she has helped restore, but also in the communities she has strengthened along the way.
Rural Award Winners: Kirsty and David Powell
Kirsty and David Powell exemplify the power of quiet, consistent action.
From their coastal property, they have dedicated themselves to restoring both land and shoreline, undertaking extensive revegetation work to reduce erosion and improve ecological health. Their commitment extends beyond their own property, with ongoing efforts to care for and protect the surrounding coastline.
A particularly special aspect of their work is their willingness to share their place with others. By opening their property to community groups and supporting opportunities for people to connect with the whenua and learn about sites of significance alongside iwi, they have helped foster a deeper appreciation for the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
Their hands-on approach and long-term commitment are helping ensure this special stretch of coastline is protected and enhanced for future generations.
Taonga Rōpū Highly Commended: Hūnua Kōkako Recovery Group
The Hūnua Kōkako Recovery Group received a Highly Commended recognition for the extraordinary efforts of its volunteer team.
Together, volunteers contribute more than 4,000 hours of unpaid labour each year, often working in challenging terrain and all weather conditions. Many return week after week, driven by a shared commitment to protecting one of Aotearoa’s most treasured native bird species.
Their dedication has helped deliver remarkable conservation outcomes. The Hūnua kōkako population has grown beyond all recovery targets, demonstrating the profound impact that community-led conservation can achieve when people work together towards a common goal.
The success of the programme stands as a testament to the passion, perseverance, and generosity of the volunteers who make it possible.
Nominations From Across Franklin
While the awards highlighted several outstanding winners and highly commended recipients, every nomination represented an individual or group making a meaningful contribution to conservation across our rohe.
We would like to acknowledge and celebrate all those nominated from Franklin for the inaugural Taiao Conservation Awards: Marleen Verhoeven, Peter Shanks, Robin Le Grice & John Glasgow, David Clarke, Bryan Schroeder, Awhitu Coast Care, Kirsty and David Powell, Brian Cox, Merv Price & Jennifer Cox, Simone & Peter Dent, Andrew Sinclair, Glen Rudduck, Shane Everett, Glenn Richards, Kane Kirkwood, Paul Arthur, John Tait, Bryan Connor, Sean Vaughan, Sarah Mansell, Anna McNaughton, Margaret Magkill, Turanga Restoration Project volunteers, Hūnua Kōkako Recovery Group volunteers, Hunua Domain Defenders.
Together, these individuals and groups represent thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to protecting and restoring our natural environment. Their collective efforts are helping to strengthen biodiversity, care for taonga species, and create healthier, more connected communities throughout Franklin.
Celebrating the People Behind the Mahi
The Taiao Conservation Awards remind us that meaningful environmental change is driven by people. Whether working as individuals, families, community groups, or volunteer teams, every nominee has demonstrated a commitment to caring for te taiao and inspiring others to do the same.
Congratulations to all nominees, finalists, highly commended recipients, and winners. Thank you for the time, energy, knowledge, and passion you contribute to protecting and restoring the places we love.
Your mahi is helping create thriving ecosystems, resilient communities, and a brighter future for generations to come.
About the Taiao Conservation Awards
The Taiao Conservation Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to biodiversity protection and environmental restoration across the local board areas of Franklin, Howick, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Manurewa, Ōtara-Papatoetoe, and Papakura.
The awards are a collaborative initiative led by Pest Free Howick Ward, Pest Free South Auckland, and Te Ara Hīkoi (Predator Free Franklin), in partnership with Auckland Council, reflecting the strength of collective action driving conservation across South and East Auckland.
This inaugural event was made possible through funding from Auckland Council’s Natural Environment Targeted Rate, and support from the local boards.
