Generous New Zealand women: Maureen Potroz.

Born in Dunedin, Maureen has had a life-long love of music and performance.

She left the South Island in her twenties, living in various places across the North Island before eventually settling to live in Gisborne 35 years ago.

It was during her early years that Maureen met two music teachers. Recognising her talent, they nurtured it by providing Maureen with free training when she couldn't afford it.

Their generosity and kindness had a big influence on the young woman, teaching her invaluable skills in music and theatre and enabling everything she's achieved in music over her life - including offers of a scholarship in England, and a part on TV back in her heyday!

They also taught her the value of giving, and Maureen has been giving back ever since.

Maureen has herself trained young local musicians, regardless of whether they can afford it or not, volunteered as an official accompanist at Gisborne music competitions for 30 years, and is the founding member of Centre Stage, a charitable organisation that has supported operatic and musical theatre in Gisborne since 1986.

She has also gifted a bequest to her local community foundation, the Sunrise Foundation, to ensure that her donation will give back to her community forever, and "help anyone who needed it".

Photo and story supplied by the Sunrise Foundation.