Tracey Mouat

Citation Speech for Tracey Mouat

In most communities, there are very few people who are always willing to raise their hand and help. No matter the task, no matter the day, they’re there. Hiwinui is fortunate to have someone like that. When Tracey Mouat became part of the Hiwinui community, it’s fair to say they struck gold. A dedicated community member and a friend to many, her generosity, thoughtfulness and determination to get things done have made a lasting impact on Hiwinui and the wider Manawatū District.

In 2009, one of Tracey’s earliest community projects came from something close to home. When her daughter Madeline was young, Tracey noticed there were limited early childhood options locally. Instead of accepting that, she created a solution with the establishment of the Hiwinui Playgroup.

She sourced funding, purchased equipment and encouraged local families to get involved. The playgroup went on to become a valued part of the community, giving local children the chance to build friendships, confidence and connections before starting school.

Tracey has a particular talent for sourcing funding and turning good ideas into reality. Tracey has been an integral part of the Hiwinui Community Committee for around 10 years, serving as both secretary and treasurer. From keeping minutes and managing finances to establishing and administering the committee’s Facebook page, Tracey has always been someone who quietly keeps things moving behind the scenes.

She has supported many important projects, including the 2.9-kilometre Hiwinui pathway, one she holds close to her heart, as she helped secure funding to extend the pathway.

One initiative that perhaps best sums up Tracey’s care for others is Honk for Hiwinui. Started in 2021, the annual food drive supports Manchester House in Feilding. With support from local Police and Fire and Emergency personnel, Tracey travels through the Hiwinui community in convoy and, at the sound of the horn, residents come out with bags and boxes of food to help fill the van for families in need.

Between 2023 and 2025 the Friends of Hiwinui School benefited from Tracey’s leadership raising over $125,000 supporting school camps, development of the school court and purchase of a school van, a truly amazing accomplishment in this declining climate of sponsorship and available funding.

Fundraisers have included pie sales, quiz nights, movie nights, sausage sizzles, hay collection, Christmas raffles, chocolate sales, bake sales and the popular Hops and Vines event, which is now Gumboots and Glam.

Tracey has also given her time to coaching school sports teams, including Hiwinui School netball, Nga Tawa and Feilding Agricultural High School. She’s supported Marist football club with funding applications, helping towards team travel, sporting equipment and storage facilities.

And somehow, amongst everything she does for others, Tracey still finds time for the things that fill her own cup. She speaks warmly about her family, enjoys gardening, and attends Brazilian jiu-jitsu with her family twice a week, finding a little calm amongst the chaos.

Tracey, your kindness, humility and generosity have not gone unnoticed.

What you may simply see as helping out or doing something you enjoy has required countless hours of time, effort and care, and the impact of that contribution can be seen across generations of whānau in Hiwinui and beyond.

Thank you for the time and dedication you have given to your community. We hope that tonight you feel just how much your contributions are valued and appreciated, and how grateful so many people are for all that you have done.

Congratulations, Tracey.