default-output-block.skip-main
Regional | Community

Ratima duo nominated in Pride of New Zealand Awards

The Pride of New Zealand Awards acknowledge the unsung community heroes.

This year Des Ratima and his wife Evelyn who live in the small settlement of Whakatū in Hawke's Bay have been nominated for the award for their tireless efforts to better their community every day.

Mr Ratima says, “I have a personal mantra that I share all the time, and that's, my role is to change somebody's life every day, and that's just what drives it.”

Evelyn is a tutor at Te Kōhanga Reo o Whakatū. Here she can instil positive values in the next generation of leaders.

This couple have been instrumental in countless projects in their community, in everything from economic development plans to local festivals.