Local Hero 2016 - Selwyn Cook (Hamilton)

Selwyn owns and operates 11 Shell and Z Energy Service Stations throughout the Waikato. Trading as SSC Service Stations, under Selwyn’s leadership the family run business has developed a strong workplace culture of caring, family values and looking out for each other.

Over the last three years, Selwyn has been working with organisations such as Workbridge, Enrich +, the Blind Foundation and Idea Services to recruit people with physical and mental disabilities. In that time, he has employed nearly 80 job seekers through Workbridge alone.

Selwyn has won a number of awards for his work including being highly commended for ‘Workplace Diversability’ at this year’s Equal Employment Opportunity Trust Diversity Awards.

He has been a guest speaker at multiple disability employment seminars and supports a number of charities including Child Flight, Bellyful and Autism Waikato.

The Kiwibank Local Hero Medals and the New Zealander of the Year Awards celebrate those people who use their passion for New Zealand to make our country a better place. These awards are an opportunity for New Zealanders to honour extraordinary Kiwis whose selflessness, creativity, and vision make us proud to call New Zealand home. Find out more about the New Zealander of the Year Award winners and those in the running for 2018.