25 years' community service recognised

South Auckland man Sully Paea has won the inaugural Kiri Award for his work with young people over the past 25 years.

The Child Development Foundation launched the Kiri Awards with opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

They honour a New Zealander whose work - paid or unpaid - has made a significant contribution to the well-being of children or young people. There is only one Kiri Award winner a year.

Mr Paea had worked with the young people of Manukau City for 25 years, with the support of his family, community, churches, council and the Ministry of Education, the Child Development Foundation said in a statement.

"Sully works passionately to break down the disappointment, hopelessness, depression and lack of direction that is a fact of life for many of our young people."

The foundation said Mr Paea had initiated an alternative education programme that had taken children discarded by the mainstream, and restored them to meaningful lives, away from drugs and crime.

- NZPA