Your 2026 Westfield Albany Local Hero is:

Rachel Hessey
Coastguard Hibiscus

Dedicated. Inspiring. Selfless.

Around the Hauraki Gulf, Coastguard Hibiscus volunteers stand ready at any hour. At the heart of that effort is Rachel Hessey, a volunteer leader who helps keep both crews and community connected.

Rachel combines her rescue duties with fundraising and community engagement, building support for a team that just last year helped bring more than 300 people safely home.

As the only female qualified Master in the team – holding legal, operational and team responsibilities for the boat - she is also a role model, encouraging women to pursue maritime rescue roles.

“As one of a small number of female skippers, I understand the impact visibility can have. I want others to see that there is a place for them in operational and leadership roles,” she explains.

Rachel has recently finished two years as President of Coastguard Hibiscus and continues to raise awareness for the organisation, building relationships with local groups and championing Coastguard on the airwaves.

“I am motivated by the knowledge that the work I do with Coastguard Hibiscus genuinely saves lives and protects people in our local community," says Rachel.

She adds, “Every callout - whether assisting a family stranded with a flat battery or taking part in a search and rescue - highlights how critical trained volunteers are when things go wrong on the water.

We’d like to thank and acknowledge our finalists who will receive a $5K grant for the organisation they represent.

Ivor Peksa from North Shore Community Toy Library

Ivor Peksa is helping children and families across Auckland’s North Shore learn, play and belong. Through his leadership of North Shore Community Toy Library, he ensures families can access affordable toys and learning resources, while creating valuable community connections that support the wellbeing of more than 2,000 children and their whānau each year.

Libby Priscott from The Nest Collective NZ

For more than a decade, Libby Priscott has helped Auckland babies born into hardship get a safe, warm and supportive start in life. At The Nest Collective, she runs the pēpi pack programme, supplying free bundles of donated baby essentials that reach thousands of caregivers, babies and whānau each year.

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If you need support, please phone Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354

Recognising all our 2026 nominees

View all of the Westfield Albany nominees and their organisations.