ANCAD is saddened by the recent passing of Jill Nerheny QSM, a much-loved community champion who retired at the end of last year after almost four decades of dedicated service.

Jill’s contribution to Kaipātiki and the wider North Shore reached across generations, bringing people together and helping them make a difference in their own neighbourhoods.

As community coordinator and manager of the Kaipātiki Community Facilities Trust, Jill helped turn community ideas into action. From Families in Parks and Summer Fun to youth initiatives, murals and neighbourhood projects, her work created opportunities for people to connect, participate and take pride in where they lived. Through the MAST network, she brought community organisations, police and other agencies around the table to address local challenges together.

Recognisable in her signature pink, Jill brought colour, generosity and a famously direct approach to community life. She knew the value of making connections, sharing information and giving people a chance. Alongside the public events and projects was quieter work: Supporting families, encouraging young people and ensuring those who needed help felt welcome.

In an earlier profile, Jill explained her approach in her own words: “The place must never look like an office. It must be welcoming, because I don’t know who is going to walk in the door each day.” That welcome reflected a deep belief in working alongside people and recognising what they could contribute.

Jill’s legacy lives on in the relationships she built, the opportunities she helped create and the people she encouraged to believe in themselves. We remember her with gratitude and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and the many people whose lives she touched.