Community board brilliance celebrated at LGNZ awards

From pioneering partnerships to dynamic engagement strategies, LGNZ’s 2024 Community Boards Dinner and Awards showcased community board excellence.

Martinborough Community Board (South Wairarapa District Council) scooped up the Partnering with Councils Award for its work promoting a Community Emergency Hub and hosting a series of resilience-focused events that brought locals together. Judges said this work exemplified out-of-the-box thinking, creating a model for collaborative emergency preparedness.

Tirau Community Board (South Waikato District Council) secured the Enhancing Communities Award for transforming a largely unused reserve into a beautiful community asset, complete with suspension bridge, pump track, BBQ area, restrooms, and on- and off-lead dog areas. “You have to have grit to get this on the table,” judges said, “this is really an example of local government improving people’s lives.”

Raumati Community Board (Kāpiti Coast District Council) took out the Engaging with Communities Award for its innovative approach to developing a long-term vision and identity for Raumati. Judges described this work as a shining example of “bringing community voice to the table – by the people, for the people.”

LGNZ President Sam Broughton congratulated the winners and acknowledged all finalists for their commitment to communities. “Community boards are unsung champions and we’re thrilled to honour these remarkable projects and the teams behind them.”

The LGNZ Community Board Awards were held last night, Thursday 22 August 2024.