Search to Identify Worthy Kiwi Battlers Begins

A nationwide search for charities, groups or individuals who battle against the odds or fight the extra mile for their community is being launched today. The Kiwi Battler competition has been set up by Gareth and Joanne Morgan, whose trust will award $30,000 to the winner's favourite charity.

Dr Morgan said much of the couple's charity work was focused on overseas projects, but they now wanted to reward Kiwis working hard for their communities at home. "It's not just about the winner. I'm just looking for stories of people who in a pretty unheralded way have made a major contribution to their community."

Dr Morgan, a philanthropist, fund manager and economist, is the father of Trade Me founder Sam Morgan. He helped bankroll the launch of Trade Me and was one of 10 partners paid a total of $750 million when Trade Me was sold to Fairfax Media in 2006. Dr Morgan gave his entire $47m windfall from the sale to charity.

Battler nominations are being sought from the public, and Dr Morgan is hoping for a big response. "They don't need to be charity workers. They could be anybody." Many Kiwis worked tirelessly and without recognition for the benefit of others. An example was Island Bay's Anne Brunt, who Dr Morgan said was among those who inspired him to set up the competition.

She had approached him for a $70,000 loan in 2006 to help fight plans to build townhouses on 1.4 hectares of bush next to her home when the team behind the rescue bid had only 48 hours to raise the funds. "For the last five years they have been holding cake stalls, running the parking at the markets and they've been sending me cheques. It's incredible ... they've now got a park in the middle of Island Bay."

A selection committee would shortlist five entrants in 13 regions, and the public would be asked to vote for regional winners. The winners would get $1000 for themselves and $10,000 for their favourite charity. The regional winners would be named on July 27, and a national winner in September. The winner would get another $20,000 for their charity and $2000 for themselves.

Voting for the nation's favourite Kiwi Battler opens online at kiwibattler.com at 9am today.

Photo from KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

BUSH BATTLERS: This Island Bay group saved a piece of bush from developers,
from left, June Epsom, Robert Logan, Pam Smith, Ken Findlay, Jennifer Bennett,
Gona Pandian and Anne Brunt.