Pride of NZ: Helping to build a better future

Des Ratima and wife Evelyn have many projects in place to benefit the Whakatu community where he grew up and he has been nominated for a Pride of New Zealand award. Photo / Paul Taylor

They call him the "mayor of Whakatu" but few outside the close-knit community know just how much Des Ratima gives back.

A nomination in the Pride of New Zealand Awards Community Spirit category gives some indication of the things he does for a place he loves.

After 25-years away he came home to build a better future for generations growing up in the former meat works mecca.

Mr Ratima kick-started a major Christmas in the Park annual celebration, which has been running since 2002 with the aim of bringing change.

"We went through the works closure and what we turned to was a lot of bad behaviour, domestic violence, suicide - we wanted to do something to change it - we started off humbly singing a few carols with a few people," he said.

"Now the community has totally embraced it, it continues to run with a very small budget but we get 500 to 600 people, it's about showing our kids something positive."

Everyone took the message to heart as did Hawke's Bay's District Health Board and the Primary Health Organisation, which came on board with sponsorship - it's now used the opportunity to hand out an annual wellness survey.

One of the first issues Mr Ratima addressed on his return was the state of Whakatu's Kohanga reo which he says was in, "a lot of trouble".

"We picked that up over 10 years ago and we transformed that, we have got a role of 20, mums and dads walk them down - these are the kids we want to give great memories. If we don't do that they will disappear and that will mean the death of our community."

The Ministry of Education's Computers in Homes initiative was another programme he pushed for families who didn't have access to computers.

"They have had 20 hours of training - kohanga reo mums and dads have all got emails, we help put that together."

Mr Ratima was currently working beside Hawke's Bay Regional Council on a total redevelopment of the Whakatu riverbank - from the park to the township's centre.

Last year an economic development plan was also completed - revealing 97 per cent of 1000 residents were employed in low wage work - another thing he's helping to turn around.

"We are asking the question of local businesses 'what are the opportunities you will have five years from now?' so future generations don't have to go away."

Another of his passions is Whanautohi Trust through which he offers a house as meeting space for the whole community. It is the base for a hot and shade house where he is growing plants from seed to give locals for their home gardens come spring.

These projects merely scratch the surface of his work - work driven by passion: "I'm just pleased I can give leadership and some guidance," he said.

Today he is involved with 17 different nationwide organisations - as chairman for 15 of them and director of the other two.

Together with our fellow NZME. news organisations plus the TSB Bank we're now seeking nominations in the annual Pride of New Zealand Awards.

Nominations are open and can be made until June 14 at the website www.prideofnzawards.co.nz.