Brother and sister duo Levi and Sophie Mitchell have become familiar faces in Stoke, delivering about 500 copies of the Nelson Weekly each week.
The pair began delivering papers in early 2024 and cover the Nayland Road area before branching off to complete their own sections of the run.
Alongside their regular route, Levi and Sophie have also stepped in to cover several other delivery runs when fellow deliverers have been away, helping ensure readers continue receiving their weekly paper.
While the deliveries keep them busy, the siblings say one of the best parts of the job is the people they meet along the way.
They enjoy stopping for friendly chats with elderly residents on their route, and one local woman has become well known for occasionally rewarding them with lollies.
Their willingness to help out and reliable service have made Levi and Sophie the Nelson Weekly Deliverers of the Month and earned them a double pass to State Cinema to watch a movie of their choosing.
The Hawkins family has become a dependable part of the Waimea Weekly delivery team, working together each week to deliver about 350 newspapers throughout Richmond.
Robynne Hawkins and her family have been delivering the paper for many years, with everyone playing their part to ensure readers receive their copy every Wednesday morning. Covering two delivery runs, the family works as a team through Olympus Way, Chelsey Avenue, Gibbons Street and West Avenue.
"Everyone has their own routes. With teamwork we get it done," Robynne says.
Their early starts help ensure many residents have their Waimea Weekly waiting before breakfast. Robynne says family member Eric heads out before catching the bus and still manages to finish his deliveries by 9am. Some readers have come to rely on the family's punctuality.
"There's a lady on Chelsey Ave who likes her paper on time," Robynne says. "The trouble is they get used to getting their papers early and stand on the road waiting."
Over the years, the family has enjoyed getting to know many of the people on their rounds, often stopping for a friendly chat along the way. They are also greeted by plenty of dogs, which have become a familiar part of their weekly routine.
Their commitment, teamwork and reliable service have made the Hawkins family deserving Waimea Weekly Deliverers of the Month. For their efforts, they have earnt a Silky Otter pass to watch a movie of their choosing.
Charlie Reay-Mackey has been delivering newspapers around Motueka for nearly a decade, helping keep the community connected through the Motueka Guardian each week.
Charlie started delivering papers in about 2017 and currently delivers 220 copies every week. Over the years, he has taken on several different delivery runs, helping cover different parts of town when needed.
His current route includes Old Wharf Rd, High St and surrounding streets, as well as areas around Wratt St and Hickmott Place.
Charlie has also been a valuable source of knowledge for the delivery team. When a new delivery management team were still learning how the Motueka delivery runs were organised, he arrived at the office with a map showing how the town was divided into different delivery areas.
The map helped provide a clearer picture of the delivery network and made the transition much easier.
Along his route, Charlie enjoys the chance to catch up with people in the community and have a friendly chat.
Before delivering papers, Charlie worked as a mechanic and says he has maintained many of the connections he built over the years.
For Charlie, delivering the paper is about more than getting newspapers into letterboxes.
"It helps with my health, and I enjoy getting out and being able to do something," Charlie says.
His dedication, reliability and willingness to help others make Charlie a deserving Motueka Guardian Deliverer of the Month. He receives a voucher to the Silky Otter for his efforts.
