Recreation Aotearoa has tonight announced the winners of the 2025 Recreation Awards, held in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

The Recreation Awards celebrate the people, places, programmes, and projects that enhance people’s wellbeing through recreation. Recreation Aotearoa members from across New Zealand’s parks, aquatics, outdoors and community recreation sectors gathered to recognise and celebrate this year’s award recipients.

Recreation Aotearoa Chief Executive, Sarah Murray, says this year’s winners reflect the hard work, dedication, and innovation seen across the recreation industry.

“The calibre of entrants this year was high, and the work being done by our members show how committed they are to enhancing the wellbeing of people and communities across Aotearoa every day.”

“Every nominee, finalist, and winner has demonstrated excellence in their field, and we congratulate them all for the contribution they make to recreation in Aotearoa.”

11 winners and merit award recipients were recognised across seven Outstanding award categories, while four Individual award winners were announced.

The 2025 judging panel was Simon Battrick, Shyrel Burt, Jasmin Carr, Mark Hammond, Cassie Horton, Deb Hurdle, Alison Law, Wiremu Tapara, and Dave Tippett. As in previous years, a strong number of entries were received across all categories, highlighting the depth and diversity of the sector.

A full list of winners can be found below.

Note:

Outstanding Awards

Outstanding Community Recreation Programme

This award recognises a recreation programme that has run at least biennially for two years and is shaped and delivered with strong community involvement.
Winner: Christchurch City Council – Gear Up Ōtautahi
Merit: Bay Venues & partners – Bayswim: Ethnic Women’s Programme

Outstanding Event Award

This award recognises a one-off or annual recreation festival or event.
Winner: Scouts Aotearoa, Māngere College, and CLM Community Sport – Girls Get Out There
Merit: First Step Outdoors – S2C Spellers Camp – belonging, community, inclusion

Outstanding Park Award

This award recognises excellence in the planning, design, and care of a park or open space.
Winner: Te Poari o Kaipātiki ki Kaipara, Resilio Studio, and Auckland Council – Kaipātiki Reserve

Outstanding Project Under $500,000

This award recognises an outstanding development or major redevelopment of a strategy or facility with a project value under $500,000.
Winner: Selwyn District Council – The Deep End of Innovation: AI and Pool Safety

Outstanding Project Over $500,000

This award recognises an outstanding development or major redevelopment of a strategy or facility with a project value over $500,000.
Winner: University of Auckland – Hiwa Recreation Centre – Waipapa Taumata Rau
Merit: Bay Venues, Tauranga City Council, the University of Waikato, and mana whenua partners – The University of Waikato Haumaru Sports and Recreation Centre

Outstanding Recreation Facility

This award recognises an outstanding land-based recreation facility designed to support people with disabilities and mobility needs.
Winner: Tauranga City Council – Te Papa Retireti – Tauranga Skatepark
Merit: Queenstown Lakes District Council – Paerata Aspiring Centre

Outstanding Research, Policy and Planning

This award recognises applied work in research, policy development, or planning that strengthens the quality of information and decision-making in the recreation sector.
Winner: Invercargill City Council – Play Strategy

Individual Awards

Emerging Recreation Leader of the Year

This award recognises a young recreation professional whose leadership, commitment to professional development, and drive for innovation stand out.
Winner: Maria Burnett – Central Otago District Council

Paul Stuart Memorial Award

This award recognises excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider facility management sector.
Winner: James Richmond – Selwyn District Council

Ian Galloway Memorial Cup

This award recognises excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider parks sector.
Winner: Michele Frey – Gisborne District Council

Mark Mitchell Memorial Trophy

This award recognises excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider recreation industry.
Winner: Simon Battrick – Queenstown Lakes District Council

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