'Local hero' is a parenting mainstay

CONGRATULATIONS: Martinborough Plunket treasurer and secretary Lia Wood, with Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott. Ms Wood has been named a Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year "Local Hero" for the Wellington region. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott took time on Saturday to congratulate "local hero" and Plunket stalwart Lia Wood, during the Martinborough Fair.

Ms Wood, treasurer and secretary for Martinborough Plunket, received a Local Heroes medal as part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2015.

She was one of 18 regional recipients, including Masterton's Bob Francis.

Ms Wood was looking after Plunket's stall at the fair when Mr Scott caught up with her.

Mr Scott said he knew Bob Francis pretty well but wanted to meet Ms Wood.

"You have to celebrate these things," he said, adding that Ms Wood was the "new generation" of local heroes making a difference in their community.

Last year, Ms Wood spearheaded the UCOL house build project, working in conjunction with UCOL, contractors, sponsors and the community to build a house that could be auctioned off.

The auction raised $15,000 for Plunket.

Ms Wood ensures services and family events are maintained in Martinborough, organising the Great Martinborough Plunket Garage Sale and the teddy bears' picnic.

The judges said that because of Ms Wood, many mothers and families around Martinborough and Wairarapa had the support they needed.

Ms Wood said she had been with Plunket for five years after attending a mothers' coffee group.

"It's lovely, the fact that we have kept Plunket in Martinborough. There are so many little townships like Tora - if they had to go all the way to Featherston, it would be hard."

Ms Wood said at the award ceremony it was "quite amazing" what everyone had done to receive the medal.

Mr Scott reminded her she was up there too, saying she should not be humble.

He said he was definitely a Plunket baby.

"You know how you measure your height when you are two years old and double it? My mother told me how tall I was going to be, and she was right."

Mr Scott is 189cm tall.

A national "local hero" will be selected out of the regional winners at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards on February 25.