The Pongaroa community felt it important to recognise one of their own and came together to nominate long time Pongaroa local, Heather Monk (second from the right in the picture with St John's staff, above), for the Tararua District Civic Honour Award for Community Service.

Heather’s award was conducted in the War Memorial Hall, Pongaroa on Saturday 21 September in an extremely well attended event with many members of the local community, wider district organisations/ individuals, a 1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment representative and National MP Mike Butterick present to show their gratitude for all that Heather does within the Community.

Tararua District Mayor, Tracey Collis welcomed those present to the award, with the opening words “it’s an exceptional privilege to celebrate and acknowledge the service and dedication to a very special person in our community and district, Heather Monk, and to present her with our districts highest award, the Tararua District Civic Honour Award for Community Service". Heather has been active in the community since the 1980's teaching, driving the school bus, the Woman’s institute, the Book Society, Floral Society and as a St Johns volunteer since 1993.

In-between all that she champions, Heather is always looking out for her community, volunteering her time to make the town an amazing place to live.

Paul Haigh, the St Johns Central South District Operations Support Manager praised Heathers 2007 achievement of being ordained by Queen Elizabeth II into the Order of St John for her service and dedication and finished by saying “St Johns, and I, are very proud of your example”.

Tararua resident Trev Moore, a survivor of what should have been a fatal accident in 2023 recalls Heather responding alone to the scene of his accident and in an emotional speech said “I am the recipient of your dedication and diligence, I should not be alive, but I am here today because of you – your award is well deserved!”

Another local said “if you want something done in Pongaroa – go to Mrs Monk!” while local resident Mark Wheeler said “Heather has lived here 54 years and is fully immersed in many organisations, much of what Heather does in Pongaroa would only be noticed if it disappeared”.

Heather fights passionately for community focused ideas and projects on behalf of Pongaroa as well as tackling council and others, head on, about the issues that affect the community, such as roads and power – so much so that she has been termed the “unofficial Mayor of Pongaroa”. Her response is “No, not me, I’ve not had the privilege of being elevated to that position, but I am, in fact, a well-meaning busy-body".

Heather was an integral part of council's Cyclone Gabrielle response, dialling into the Emergency Operations Centre video briefings and providing real-time updates on the local situation. The mayor said “Heather’s efforts during Cyclone Gabrielle are remembered as “legendary”.