Te Hiku revitalisation up for Australasian Award
Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project is a finalist for an Australasian award that recognises outstanding projects at the forefront of community engagement. Winners will be announced on 27 October.
The project that is transforming Kaitāia, Awanui and Ahipara is the only New Zealand finalist for an Australasian award celebrating community and stakeholder engagement. Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project is a finalist for the Australasia Core Values Awards in the Community Development category. The awards recognise outstanding projects at the forefront of community engagement.
The awards aim to 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’.
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 judging panel score entries based on excellence demonstrated in project objectives, methodology, challenges, satisfaction and innovation.
Te Hiku o te Ika Revitalisation Project stands alone as the only New Zealand project to be shortlisted as a finalist for this year’s award. Past winners have included the Dunedin City Council, which took out two awards in 2021 for Whakahekerau – Rakiātea Rautaki Tai (St Clair to St Kilda Coastal Plan).
This year’s winners will be announced at the IAP2 Conference on 27 October. IAP2 say their awards are the most significant in the community and engagement stakeholder / public participation sector in Austrasia and internationally. Australasian winners are automatically entered into the IAP2 International Awards.
IAP2 is made up of members from individuals, governments, institutions and other entities. It has developed public participation tools including a Code of Ethics and Quality Assurance Standard for Community and Stakeholder Engagement.
For more information about the awards, finalists and IAP2 go to 2022 Core Values Awards Finalists - IAP2 Australasia.