Kathy Webb, the woman behind some of Tauranga’s best-known community initiatives, has been awarded a King’s Service Medal.

For more than 35 years, Webb has strengthened volunteer networks and connected thousands of people across the Bay of Plenty.

Despite her long list of contributions, Webb said she was stunned to learn she would receive the honour for services to the community.

“Oh my God, what? What me? No, that’s crazy. There’s so many other people who do amazing things.”

Webb said helping others had never felt like a burden.

“It’s not like it’s been a huge effort; it’s just sort of come second nature. Somebody’s got to do this bloody thing, so it might as well be me.”

One of Webb’s proudest achievements was helping establish SociaLink in 2012 as one of four co-founders.

The organisation supports community groups and charities across the Western Bay of Plenty with funding, governance and operational advice.

Webb said the idea grew out of seeing organisations start with good intentions but struggle with the administrative work required to keep them going.

“We thought, right, let’s get this thing moving because it was such a needed thing.”

She said her work with Alzheimer’s Society Tauranga laid the foundation for her career in the volunteer sector.

From there, Webb helped the organisation grow from a single staff member to a team of 15, supporting families affected by dementia, later serving as a trustee and board chairwoman.

As chairwoman of Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support, Webb leads a network connecting around 14,500 homes across the region.

She takes a hands-on role in building street groups supporting co-ordinators for each suburb and sharing regular safety updates.

“If you know your neighbours, communities are safer.”

Webb served on the Graeme Dingle Foundation board and joined the Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise in 2011, where she is now secretary and helps organise fundraisers.

She also helped establish a Toastmasters club and a local branch of Zonta, describing herself as “a good person to start things”.

While she joked she sometimes stayed involved too long, she said seeing organisations thrive was deeply rewarding.

Webb encouraged others to get involved in community service, and said people often gain as much as they give.

“Oh, you always win. You always come out winning.”