From a lifetime of service to the promise of future leadership, the Western Bay Community Awards recognised those making a difference at every stage of life.

A top honour acknowledged decades of dedication to volunteering, while the Youth Spirit Award highlighted a young changemaker‘s impact through barbering.

Nine individuals, groups and organisations were recognised for making a difference through community events, environmental work, inclusion initiatives, wellbeing support, and volunteer service.

The most significant honour of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Service Award to Bill Webb.

The award recognised his decades of dedication to volunteering and community leadership.

Webb has been a volunteer with Good Neighbour since 2015, shortly after his retirement from more than 40 years in the corporate world.

He said he was “humbled and surprised” to receive the Lifetime Service Award.

Webb was unable to attend the awards in person, but in a pre-recorded acceptance message he reflected on his volunteering journey.

“I can think of many people who have done more than me for our community, but I must say volunteering has been a heck of a lot of fun.”

Bill Webb and volunteers harvesting 7500kg of avocados after a storm in 2025.

For more than a decade, Webb has been involved with the Good Neighbour Trust, initially volunteering as a food rescue truck driver before going on to lead a fruit rescue programme.

In that role, he co-ordinated teams of volunteers to harvest surplus fruit from backyards and orchards, redistributing it to local families, charities and food banks.

“I’ve found it far more rewarding than my time in the corporate sector, mainly because of the wonderful people you meet.”

He said volunteers were motivated, genuinely wanted to give back and working alongside people like that brought “real joy”.

“This recognition has truly blown me away, thank you.”

Youth Spirit Award winner Spencer McNeil highlighted the future of community leadership in the Western Bay.

The award recognised an inspiring individual under 25 who exemplified the essence of community spirit through their contributions and dedication.

Spencer McNeil, 21, of Brookfield’s Barber Spence & Co, started barbering at the age of 15. Photo / Kaitlyn Morrell

The 21-year-old Brookfield barber, who runs Barber Spence & Co, was also recognised at the Tauranga Business Awards, taking out the surprise Special Judges Impact Award.

He was a crowd favourite and drew constant applause and praise from fellow winners on the night.

“I’m blown away. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to think. I’m just honestly so, so blessed,” a tearful McNeil told the Bay of Plenty Times after that win.

McNeil has built a loyal following by combining grooming with a commitment to community, becoming a hub where locals connect and support one another.

Through Barber Spence & Co, he creates a space for men and boys to talk about mental health, while backing local charities and sharing messages of hope with the community.

“I think it’s more about opening space and letting them talk, not taking their spotlight. If it’s beyond you, then it’s about trying to point them in the right direction to get them help,” McNeil told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Other award winners from the night included Hunt for Good, which won the Heart of the Community Award.

Hunt for Good won the Heart of the Community Award. Photo / Michael Bogalo Photography

The organisation was recognised for its generosity-driven approach to tackling food insecurity, culling wild deer and supplying processed venison to local food banks.

Hunt for Good has culled more than 1400 deer and produced 10,890kg of venison mince, the equivalent of more than 73,000 servings for families.

The Western Bay Community Awards were delivered in a partnership involving Tect, the Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Tect chairman Mark Arundel said the awards celebrated people who quietly and consistently stepped up for their communities.

“These awards are about people who care deeply about their community and take action to make things better,” Arundel said.

The 2026 winners showed what’s possible when passion, generosity and commitment come together, he said. “Their impact reaches far beyond their own organisations and into the lives of countless people across the Western Bay.”

2026 Western Bay Community Awards winners:

• Community Event Award: 100th Katikati A&P Show
• Sustainable Future Award: Rotoehu Ecological Trust
• Diversity & Inclusion Award: Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust
• Heart of the Community Award: Hunt for Good
• Youth Spirit Award: Spencer McNeil
• Volunteer of the Year Award: Jason Rive
• Best Collaboration Award: Live Well Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services
• People’s Choice Award: Army of Aunties
• Lifetime Service Award: Bill Webb