20/11/2025
On behalf of Lynsey Abbott, Founder of One Voice Community Services Trust, thank you so much for this wonderful nomination! 💛✨
Sorry whānau, a bit of a novel, but I wanted to share this from my heart.
I am deeply humbled and honoured to be one of the 100 nominees for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year. This recognition is not just for me — it belongs to everyone who has held One Voice with their hands, hearts, and prayers since day one.
I want to acknowledge:
🌟 My beautiful children
They were with me the very day One Voice was born — just the four of us, standing strong, holding a banner that read: “Stop the Cycle of Sexual Abuse.”
My children have supported every part of this mahi — giving up their own beds so whānau could sleep safely, cooking kai for families in crisis, and walking beside me through every challenge and every blessing. They are the heartbeat of One Voice.
🌟 My darling late husband, Haira Abbott
Our guiding light.
He stood with me through every step of this journey, working tirelessly for our community with a full heart.
He was an incredible father, a loving husband, and a man who gave everything to help those in need.
For 12 years, he and I self‑funded One Voice — every dollar, every hour, every sacrifice came from our home and our hearts.
His love, strength, and belief in our people continue to guide me every single day.
🌟 My mum and dad, my Ma and Pa
Your love, values, and teachings built the foundation of who I am.
🌟 All my brothers, sisters, our babies, our precious mokos, and our beautiful whānau
Thank you for holding me up, standing beside me, and believing in this kaupapa from the beginning.
🌟 Our funders, donors, and supporters
Every contribution — big or small — has helped us keep going. Your trust keeps our doors open and our people supported.
🌟 Our courageous whānau who reach out to us
You are the reason we do what we do. Your strength inspires our mahi every day.
🌟 Our Wonderful Trust, Daniel Marsh, Toni Te Whaiti, Shane Shepherd and Sharon Ryan, thank you all for all your Aroha to help our people 🌟Our Kaitiaki.
🌟 Out Wonderful Staff, Volunteers and supporters, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for showing ip for our people, we see you whanau 🌟
🌟 And to the other 99 incredible nominees
We see you. We hear you.
Your dedication, passion, and commitment to your communities is deeply inspiring.
From my heart: my darling husband and our children deserve this recognition more than me.
They have carried this kaupapa with me from the very beginning, through heartbreak, struggle, and triumph.
Thank you to everyone who has tagged, shared, commented, supported, and celebrated this moment with us.
Your aroha means more than you know.
Together, we rise.
Together, we heal.
Together, we are One Voice. 💛✨
