Civic and Community Awards honour local volunteers

Volunteer groups and individuals have been recognised for their community dedication in last evening’s Kāpiti Coast Civic and Community Awards.

Mayor K Gurunathan presented the Civic Awards. Six groups received a Wellington Airport Regional Community Award and six more groups were acknowledged as highly commended.

"It’s always such a pleasure and privilege to be part of these community awards,” said Mayor K Gurunathan. “It’s a chance to sing the praises of the often unsung heroes of our coast.”

“Non-profit organisations contribute about $6 billion to our social economy a year, with the labour of volunteers adding another $3.5 billion. Our generous community contributes to the wider picture through their tireless and generous volunteerism.”

The Civic Awards recognise those who have contributed to the community through hard work or who have exceptional achievements as individuals in their chosen field. Mary Carrington, Graham Petterson, Viola Palmer, and Mark Amery received this year’s Civic Awards, while Len Taylor was honoured with the Mayoral Award.

The Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards focus on volunteer groups in the categories of Heritage & Environment, Health & Wellbeing, Arts & Culture, Sports & Leisure, Education & Child/Youth Development, and Rising Star. Winners and those highly commended in these awards were:

Heritage & Environment
Winner Low Carbon Kapiti
Highly commended Greendale Reserve Volunteers

Health & Wellbeing
Winner Champions of Kāpiti
Highly commended Ōtaki Volunteer Fire Brigade

Sports & Leisure
Winner The Web Genius Kapiti Run for Youth
Highly commended Ōtaki Golf Club Junior Section

Education & Child/Youth Development
Winner Shed Project Avalanche Band (also Supreme Award Winner and will represent Kāpiti in the regional award)
Highly commended Kapiti Youth Achievement Trust

Arts & Culture
Winner Māoriland Hub
Highly commended Waikanae Musical Society

Rising Star
Winner Little Sprouts Kapiti Branch
Highly commended Cobblers

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