For 10 years, the Flaxmere Heroes calendar has been a beacon of light for a suburb often stigmatised.
More than 120 of the suburb's finest have been recognised over the years.
![Mia and Jay Tere, Directors JMia Automotive Service Ltd with their staff. Photo / Warren Buckland](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/2T6WWKZ5CJDLCXF4M5UDCHOGR4.jpg?auth=c1dde1afe33de89606f7d37425e64b1d53c6f04783355b50e54c6ff12759e11e&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
It was born out of the 2008 hikoi organised by Flaxmere councillor Henare O'Keefe, after a spate of violence in the suburb, including a home invasion in which his daughter was threatened and her partner badly beaten.
Among those featured in the 2020 iteration are Lynsey and Haira Abbott from One voice Community Services, Mia and Jay Tere, Directors JMia Automotive Service Ltd and the team at Family Start from Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga.