Te Hiku revitalisation sweeps up international awards
Winning the Community Development Award triggers a run to the top prizes at Australasian awards held in Melbourne.
The project revitalising Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara picked up a string awards in Melbourne last night, with a clean sweep of wins culminating in the top prize of International Project of the Year.
Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project won the top prize for the Community Development Award that celebrates community and stakeholder engagement in the Australasia Core Values Awards. Because of that win, the project qualified for Australasia Project of the Year, which the project also collected. That in turn put Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project in the running for International Project of the Year, which it won.
Winners of major awards – including the top two prizes won by Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project – were announced at the 2022 IAP2 Australasia Conference Gala Dinner held last night (27 October).
The awards recognise outstanding projects at the forefront of community engagement and Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project was the only New Zealand finalist nominated for the Community Development prize at the international awards for 2022. The awards’ judging panel scored award nominees on excellence demonstrated in project objectives, methodology, challenges, satisfaction and innovation.
Award judges remarked that the outcomes of the project were not only inspiring but the broader, positive impact on the community also impressed them. “The approach was excellent and demonstrated the organisation's commitment to co-designing the outcome with the community rather than imposing it on them. The work to upskill local suppliers is to be commended as it provides a lasting project and organisation legacy for the community.”
Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project has seen the installation of public artworks, playground equipment, cycle tracks, public seating, water fountains, barbeques and much more in Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara. The community-led project is funded by Kānoa – the government’s Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit – with support from the council and Te Hiku Community Board.
The awards raise awareness about what best practice public participation looks like and are run by International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), a not-for-profit organisation championing community engagement that ‘improves environmental, social and governance outcomes’.
For more information about the award nominations check out our earlier story here
Photo – Chris Mene, Engagement Specialist, accepts the Project of the Year award on behalf of FNDC from IAP2 CEO, Marion Short.