A Wairoa District Council and Raupunga community project to create a welcoming entry point to the area was recognised at the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Excellence Awards this week.

The Raupunga Amenity Area project gained a Highly Commended in the Excellence Award for Community Impact.

Mayor Craig Little said he was thrilled with the result, particularly given the high standard of projects entered into the competition.

“These awards attract entries from each of the 78 local authorities around New Zealand. It is fantastic for Wairoa to gain this kind of recognition.

“The project itself is a great example of the approach Wairoa District Council has taken in regards to working with the community to achieve positive outcomes. It’s all about partnership,” he said.

“An area that was previously considered an undesirable place to stop has been completely turned around, with full involvement of the community.”

The project to develop the amenity area was led by Engineering Manager Jamie Cox, and involved extensive community hui and the involvement of various organisations. Local youth had the opportunity to gain training and work experience, tangata whenua took responsibility for the extensive landscaping that transformed the area and local artists created murals for the building.

“It was an extensive undertaking that has had wide-reaching benefits for the Raupunga community. These relationships will continue to grow and allow our district to prosper,” Mr Little said.

5 July 2016

Back to Archive