Jacqui Jago and Pippa Wetzell (far right) were honoured for 15 years’ service at the Heart Awards Dinner. Also pictured (L-R) Bellyful Founder Jacqui Ritchie, Board Chair Fiona Wilson and CE Sheena Revington.
“The quiet force behind so much of Bellyful”, “the glue that holds our branch together”, “the person everyone knows they can count on” and even “a walking, warm pink hug”.
These are just some of the ways recipients of Bellyful’s 2026 Heart Awards were described by their fellow volunteers.
At Bellyful’s National Hui in Christchurch, Heart Award recipients were recognised by Chief Executive Sheena Revington, Ambassador Pippa Wetzell, Founder Jacqui Ritchie and Board Chair Fiona Wilson. Across the country, branches are also celebrating recipients in their own communities.
This year, 89 volunteers received Shining Heart Awards, recognising outstanding contributions over the past two years. These awards are based on nominations from fellow volunteers, who shared stories of people strengthening their communities, supporting families through challenging times and quietly stepping up whenever they were needed.
A further 110 volunteers received Enduring Heart Awards for reaching significant service milestones of 5, 10 or 15 years. Among this year’s longest-serving recipients are seven volunteers recognised with 15-year awards: Jacqui Jago, Jocelyn McKenzie, Rachel Smith, Rachel Neale, Natalie Snaddon, Kate Fitzgerald and Bellyful Ambassador Pippa Wetzell.
At the Heart Awards Dinner, Ambassador Pippa Wetzell reflected on the difference volunteers make for families every day.
“You will never fully know the impact that you have on the families you support. You may never see the evenings made easier, the stress reduced, the tears prevented, or the hope restored because of your efforts.”
Chief Executive Sheena Revington said the Heart Awards were an opportunity to recognise the extraordinary contribution volunteers make in communities across Aotearoa.
“For some of our longest-serving volunteers, the babies and young children whose families received Bellyful meals when they first joined are now teenagers. That’s a powerful reminder of the difference volunteers can make over time.
“Whether they’re cooking meals, making deliveries, organising cookathons, welcoming new volunteers or supporting families behind the scenes, every one of our recipients has helped strengthen the communities they serve. We are incredibly grateful for everything they do.”
Alongside volunteer award recipients, Bellyful also recognised two special supporters whose generosity and partnership have made a significant difference. Meet the Need was acknowledged for its longstanding support of Bellyful branches through mince donations, while Kylie Wright was recognised for her personal commitment to Bellyful and her role in helping build a valued partnership with the Wright Family Foundation.
Shining Heart Award recipients
Central Auckland: Deb Payne, Kym Cooper, Sally McKinnon, Sasha Anderson, Tracey Heimsath
Christchurch: Kerry Marshall, Mary-Pat Heveldt, Suzanne McCloy, Sharon Brazier
Dunedin: Anna Higgs, Helen Oldham, Karen Skevington, Mary Whitham, Nicole Foote, Pip Wingfield, Rachael Kirk
East Auckland: Andrea Martin, Anne Van Der Straaten, Brooke Williams, Stella Shewring
Franklin: Ann McIlmoyle, Claire Eyes, Marilyn Matthews, June Taylor, Noelene Harrison, Trish Miers
Geraldine: Vicki Snow
Hamilton: Diana Julian, Heather Boswell
Hawke’s Bay: Aliesha Gordon, Kate Woodhall, Tasha King, Elaine Mckay, Michelle Mukhtar, Vicky Barker
Hibiscus Coast: Janet Hope, Zoe Forbes
Hutt Valley: Annika Norling, Karen Gordon-Lewis, Margaret Barclay, Stacey Johnson
Invercargill: Toni Eade, Victoria Pemberton, Dani Haller, Gail Rance, Jill Babington, Karen Gill, Kim Gray
Nelson: Brenda Holdaway, Tracey Marvin
New Plymouth: Karen Whelan, Rebecca Phillips, Addi Miller, Aroona Patel, Holly Cavanagh, Khurshid Mitchell, Renee Pomare
North Waikato: Wendy Mahon, Tina Taylor
Porirua: Marcelle Roberts, Judy Parish, Laurette Cummins
Selwyn: Emily Pearce, Karen Spackman, Cecile McFedries
Taupō: Diane Johnston, Sharon Wilcox, Sheryl McDougall, Tricia Branco
Tauranga: Sarah Elliott, Sue-Anne Hoeberigs, Vicki Leopold
Waimakariri: Carol Burdon, Nicky Hatton, Hayley Whittle
Wellington North: Vanessa Martin
Wellington South: Wendy Lindsay
Wellington West: Anna Smith, Dawn Morrison, Meg Hayes
West Auckland: Maria Dine, Tracy Cox, Anna-Marie Arnerich
Whitianga: Helena Stratford, Delivery Team, Sue Cameron
Bellyful NZ: Lizzie Beynon, Sally Robinson, Fiona Wilson (also North Shore)
Enduring Heart Award recipients
15 years: Jacqui Jago, Jocelyn McKenzie, Rachel Smith, Rachel Neale, Natalie Snaddon, Kate Fitzgerald, Pippa Wetzell
10 years: Margaret Bell, Carole Pearson, Janina Hopkins, Karen Spackman, Andrea Holmes, Nina Till, Kathryn Baldwin, Christine MacKenzie, Sian Small, Jill Lowe, Susan Brechin, Sharon Brazier, Moya Trainor, Nicole Foote, Anna Higgs, Shirley Pincham, Angela Turner, Stella Shewring, Amelia Moorhead, Annette Elkins, Vicky Barker, Elaine Mckay, Jane Muldowney, Ali Taylor, Chrissie Smith, Owee Yulo, Janice Delicata, Alison Smith, Philippa Davis
5 years: Sally Robinson, Mary-Pat Heveldt, Abbey Booth, Michelle Garrett, Julie Duff, Annette De Lenardis, Sarah Elliott, Jane Kerr, Jarna Blockley, Carol Morton, Maria Dine, Riika Poikela, Cleo Mitchell, Louisa Sellars, Denise Weir, Judith Tatom, Kristy Hogsden, Glenys MacKinnon, Karen Ryan, Karen Skevington, Pip Wingfield, Peggy McLeod, Valerie Furness, Heather Sahannon, Rebecca Midgley, Linda Bell, Julia Carroll, Christina Wilson, Zoe Forbes, Jenny Smith, Fathima Iftikar, Heather McKenzie, Angela Hayes, Sangeeta Chaudhari, Viv Henderson, Nelum Gunatunga, Kathy Mansfield, Charlotte Millar, Alicia Leef, Trish Thompson, Donna Berends, Raewyn O’Brien, Jacqui Stanford, Tricia Branco, Tracey Cotterell, Sue-Anne Hoeberigs, Daryl Carrington, Susan (Sue) Austin, Georgina Milne, Julie Chappell, Morgan McColl, Ruth Keir, Andrea Gall, Shelly Rook, Sheryl Wastney, Jenny Studd, Jackieline Couchman, Sally Thomson-Gregg, Katie Siueva, Pru Burns, Tracy Morley-Hall, Mackenzie Kiernan, Meg Hayes, Paula Myles, Katy Perry, Marie Horsford, Sandra Brown, Kate Cross, Heather Bruce, Susan Cameron, Carol Dominikovich, Robyn Lawry, Johanna Walker, Vicki Miles
