From Gisborne Herald Article: 
Leonie Sheehan

Multimedia Journalist·Gisborne Herald·

15 Sep, 2026 10:40 AM
 

Two community volunteers who dedicate their time to helping young people and strengthening the community have been recognised with the Nan Evans Award.

This annual award was named in honour of Nan Evans, the founding member of Tairāwhiti Community Voice and a passionate advocate of community development.

The award has recognised leadership, voluntary involvement, generosity and efforts that help strengthen the community since 2008.

The awards were presented to Laine Higham and Duncan Chisholm at Tairāwhiti Community Voice’s annual meeting.

Higham has worked in education for 25 years, supporting rangatahi (young people) who are struggling at school to move into alternative education settings.
 

Her career has included roles in care and protection at Oranga Tamariki, youth justice and family harm intervention. Most recently, she worked as a coach for community navigators (people who help connect others to services and advocate for them).

But her dedication to the community extends well beyond her paid work, whether it’s supporting someone in a mental health crisis after hours, dropping people off and picking them up, accompanying them to appointments, helping them understand complicated information or doing loads of washing for tired mums and helping with their babies.

“Just anything people need,” Higham said.
 

She has also volunteered at the House of Breakthrough Church foodbank.

Higham said one of the hardest parts of working with people was ending a relationship after building trust.

“It’s often the bit you do after the work is finished,” she said. “If you found someone that you trust that was really reliable and actually helped you to get the things you need, then that’s really natural to go back to that person.

“If they say to you, ‘Look, sorry, I no longer do that job’, that’s really tough because then you’re starting at ground zero all over again.”

Highman said having an extended family meant she wasn’t doing things in isolation.
 

“That’s the strength of small communities as well. Those relationships are strong. Often we’re being really innovative with our resources and time, and so we support each other to plan and work with whānau.”

Highman was nominated for the award by YMCA Gisborne chief executive Michelle Duley.

The YMCA runs an alternative education programme that some of the rangatahi Highman worked with move into.

The nomination said Highman was a “true community champion” who always puts others first.

“Laine really works to understand how to get the best outcomes for each and every person she works with.”

Chisholm has been a paramedic with Hato Hone St John for 13 years and is a member of the Order of St John.

His voluntary work includes managing the Gisborne St John youth division and supporting St John competitions at district, regional and national levels.

Chisholm is a Three Steps for Life educator (a St John community programme), supports the Whakamanahia programme (a collaboration with the New Zealand Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand) and helps organise events for the Lego club.

He was nominated by Maree Donaldson, St John’s secretary of the area committee and an officer of the Order of St John, who described him as a valuable member of the community.

Chisholm’s dedication to bringing happiness to children through his Christmas lights display at his Maki St house was also mentioned.

Chisholm said it all kept him very busy, but with a baby due in about two weeks, it might slow him down a little.