Wellington’s local safety heroes recognised

Quick-thinking teenagers, brave first-aiders, resolute pedestrian advocates and a very special 6-year-old were some of the remarkable Wellingtonians honoured last night for keeping their fellow Capital residents safe.

The tenth annual Safety in the City Awards celebrated safety and community-mindedness in Wellington in a ceremony held at the St James with certificates presented by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Wellington Police Area Commander Inspector Chris Scahill, MC’d by Councillor Paul Eagle.

The aim of Safety in the City is to recognise deserving recipients: people who were in the right place at the right time to save lives, or have worked tirelessly—often with little recognition—to keep Wellington and Wellingtonians safe.

This year’s recipients include an exceptional young man who swam for hours in freezing water to try and save another’s life, two teenagers who managed a bus incident on Manners Street, a woman who went to the aid of an injured cyclist, and some of our most dedicated local volunteers and safety advocates. The full list is below.

Ms Wade-Brown said the stories of the award recipients showed courage and passion.

“These awards recognise people who have shown courage in a particular situation, and those who have worked tirelessly to keep Wellington and Wellingtonians safe. They show a willingness to put other people first,” she said.

“Our city’s safety is important for residents and for our international reputation.”

This year it was also combined with the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards and the Royal Humane Society awards.

Two police officers received a Bronze Medal from the Royal Humane Society which recognises outstanding acts of bravery where rescuers have put themselves at personal risk to save someone in dangerous circumstances.

Full list of Safety in the City recipients

Konefereisi Aperila: Spent 45 minutes in freezing water off Miramar Wharf trying to save a man on March 15.

Mohammad Ali Amiri: Given countless hours of his time volunteering as a City Safety Camera feed monitor, a civil defence worker, a member of the Wellington South Community Patrol and a justice of the peace.

Chris Horne: Spent many years improving pedestrian access across Wellington.

Anita Busby: Rushed to the aid of a cyclist who had been hit by a truck and was badly injured on March 1.

Noura Msahli-Samasoni and Shahnell Ngahere: Performed first aid on a woman hit by a bus in Manners Mall then reassured the traumatised bus driver on February 24.

Heather Henare: Women's rights advocate and chief executive of Women's Refuge since 2006.

Ethan Hamilton: 9-year-old who saved the life of a drowning 4-year-old at Kilbirnie Pool last September.

Skylah John: 6-year-old who called emergency services when her mother Sharleen collapsed in their kitchen from chest pains on February 13.

Ellen Blake: Walking advocate who walked the proposed Transmission Gully motorway route and lobbied for the inclusion of pedestrian facilities.

David Laing: Cycling advocate who developed a safety programme to teach bus drivers and cyclists about each others limitations by getting them to switch roles.

Kitty Holmes and Ray Chi Chung Cheung: Performed first aid on a man who fell and hit his head near the corner of Wakefield and Taranaki streets on May 10.

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