Volunteer Story Celebration 2025 - Connan from Whānau Āwhina Plunket Kāpiti

Our Kapiti whanau community has been gifted the time of Connan Reid, a local resident, who has been volunteering with Whānau Āwhina Plunket for over a year. Connan put himself forward for the role promptly after it was posted with Volunteer Kāpiti, and has reliably turned up month after month, rain or shine to help Bruce Johnston, from the Kāpiti Coast Regional Council and Natalie Manuel, owner of Baby Box; both of whom are Kāpiti’s super guru car restraint technicians while they carry out checks on the last Friday of the month at the Kāpiti Plunket Clinic.

When asked what Connan enjoys about volunteering at Whānau Āwhina Plunket, he says. "I want to help people and here I get to help."
"I am protective towards children and helping with car seats and ensuring they're done properly fills that protectiveness desire."
"Also, it’s been a friendly environment. And I've learned a lot about car seats and protocols and other miscellaneous information."

An awesome 197 child car seats were checked, fitted and made safe during Connan’s time with us, and Bruce Johnston has recognised that Connan helps out in a practical way more often as he’s become more familiar.
Thank you for all you do Connan. Yay, for our amazing volunteers!