Northlanders are being invited to enter new local authority awards recognising the people and organisations working hard to protect and enhance the region’s environment.
Nominations for the Northland Regional Council’s inaugural Environmental Awards 2019 opened on February 28 and run until 5pm Sunday March 31. “It’s a chance to highlight the ‘can-do’ attitudes and remarkable contributions Northlanders are making to help our environment thrive – and which we think deserves to be celebrated,” says NRC deputy chairman David Sinclair. “Essentially, the awards are about recognising and celebrating kaitiakitanga in action.” Councillor Sinclair says caring for Northland’s many communities and unique environment is a massive job and one the council simply can’t do by itself.
“Fortunately, all over Taitokerau we’ve got vast numbers of committed individuals, groups, schools, tangata whenua and businesses collectively aiming to make a real difference.” Examples include efforts to get rid of pests and help native life flourish, others planting waterways and wetlands and those implementing soil conservation practices to improve the way land is managed. Councillor Sinclair says the awards will feature eight categories to cover a broad range of environmental enhancement projects and activities, with a ninth Supreme Award presented to the most outstanding entry. The award categories cover environmental action in the community, pest management, education, water quality improvement, industry, leadership, innovation, and kaitiakitanga.
Entrants can include individuals, community groups, schools, tangata whenua, businesses and leaders. Projects, activities and contributions must be located within Northland and demonstrate significant benefit to the region’s environment. A public field day will also be held later this year for winners to share their knowledge and experience, and showcase their work with the rest of the community.
DETAILS
n Online entry and nomination is easy at nrc.govt.nz/environmentalwards.
n Entry is free. Submit yourself, or put forward a nomination for someone else with their approval.
n Judging will take place April 1-12 and finalists will be announced on April 29.
n Winners in each category receive a $1000 cash prize and trophy, the Supreme Award winner an extra trophy they can hold for one year.
n Finalists receive a certificate and tickets to an official awards function in Whangarei on May 23.
n Further information is available from events@nrc.govt.nz or freephone (0800) 002 004.
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