City to present Jenny Gibbs with Distinguished Citizen Award

The Auckland City Council will present Mrs Jenny Gibbs with its second Distinguished Citizen Award at a Special Meeting of Council, 6pm, Thursday 26 February.

“Mrs Gibbs is an outstanding citizen of Auckland. History will record her as a true arts and culture pioneer who has played a key role in a young nation finding its feet and finding its own identity.

“When and where it counts, Mrs Gibbs has been an outstanding leader, a generous donor, and an enthusiastic champion of the arts. Her roles with the Auckland Art Gallery and Te Papa have been critical in the advancement of these institutions.

“This Auckland City Council is looking forward to presenting this great arts ambassador with the second only Distinguished Citizen Award. It is going to be a great occasion,” said Mr Banks. The Award, which Mr Banks initiated, is a high honour that is formally conferred at full council meetings. There are to be a maximum of two recipients each year.

The Award’s criteria stipulate that a successful recipient must be a person who has made an outstanding contribution to Auckland City or a citizen of the City who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand.

“I believe in putting success on a pedestal and recognising people who do great things for Auckland City,” Mr Banks said.

Successful recipients receive a beautifully scripted and framed citation. Their names will also appear on a Roll of Honour in the Council Chamber, and in each year’s Annual Report of the Auckland City Council.

Nominations for the Distinguished Citizen Award can only be submitted to the selection committee by the sitting mayor and councillors. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their recommendations to their respective ward councillor.

Members of selection committee are Mayor John Banks, Deputy Mayor David Hay, Chief Executive Bryan Taylor and Councillors Dr Bruce Hucker, Penny Sefuiva, and Juliet Yates.

Late last year Auckland City Council unanimously agreed with the selection committee’s recommendation that Mrs Jenny Gibbs be awarded the City’s second Distinguished Citizen Award. Sir Edmund Hillary was last year’s inaugural recipient.

Media are welcome to attend the Special Meeting of Council at the Council Chamber, Ground Floor, Town Hall, Queen Street. The normal monthly council meeting will follow at 8 pm.

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