2026 Ūara Award Winners
Our Ūara Awards are a wonderful moment to lean into our Ūara (values), celebrate each other, and remind ourselves that DCM’s staff are the taonga (treasure) on which our work is built. These awards celebrate our team and acknowledge the particular contributions of six staff who have embodied one of our values this year.
The work we do is hard. Choosing to show up every day for the most marginalised people in our city is no easy task: the need is great and there are only so many hours in the day. But our Kaimahi, every one of our 68 person team, show up every day to do this hard mahi.
The recipients are nominated by their colleagues aside from the Rangatiratanga award which is chosen by our Manahautū, Natalia. We would like to take a moment to introduce you to our 2026 Ūara award winners.
Hayden Shaw | Kotahitanga
Kotahitanga: Unity, Collective Action
Hayden is a relatively new member of our team, but you wouldn't know it. Everywhere he walks whānau are there greeting him by name, stopping by for a kōrero, a laugh, and some of his hard-earned wisdom. Hayden is one of two AOD (Alcohol and other drug) counsellors working in Te Awatea and runs five therapeutic groups a week and individual counselling sessions.
Pono: Walk the Talk
Courtney is a Kaimahi in our Housing First team. Trained as an AOD counsellor and called to this mahi (work) from her own lived experience, Courtney is a fierce advocate for all our whānau. You can read more about her here from an interview with her we shared earlier in the year.
Whanaungatanga | Identity and Belonging
Many of you will recognise Kyle from being the face of our winter appeal ‘support our rough sleeping neighbours.’ Kyle is a Kaimahi in our Piki te Ora Pou known for going above and beyond for the whānau who walk through our doors. Also well known for his excellent singing voice at waiata every morning.
Penny Young | Manaakitanga
Manaakitanga: Integrity, Trust and Sincerity
Whaea Penny is a Senior Kaimahi in our Noho Pai, Sustaining Tenancies, team. A much-loved member of our community Whaea Penny has been working at DCM for many years. She is a skilled reader of people able to respond to each person she meets with compassion and honesty.
Courtney Ryan | Pono
Simran Reddy | Hihiritanga
Hihiritanga: Striving for Improvement
Sim is also a Kaimahi in our Housing First team.A joyful addition to our team she shines a warm light on all those she meets from colleagues and whānau alike. In presenting the award to her Raya, last year's winner, described her ongoing commitment to her own social work practice and taking down systemic barriers our whānau face.
Kyle Holland | Whanaungatanga
Larissa Davidson | Rangatiratanga
Rangatiratanga | Leadership, Striving for Excellence
Natalia Cleland: "I chose Larissa for the Rangatiratanga award not because of her job title or role, but because of the way she goes about her business – contributing positively to group dynamics, supporting colleagues to achieve, setting a positive example to other around integrity and diligence in work as well as how people are treated, in her desire to upskill and striving to grow in her knowledge and expertise."