Recreation Aotearoa reveals nominees for 2023 Awards

Celebrating the best and brightest of New Zealand's recreation industry and looking to recognise excellence, innovation and effectiveness of outstanding activity, Recreation Aotearoa has announced the nominees for its 2023 Recreation Awards.

The association notes “we had many great nominations come through this year and the judges have been busy working through them to uncover the winners.”

Winners will be announced at the upcoming Recreation Conference/Nga Rau Harakeke being held at in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington from 1st to 3rd November.

Outstanding Project
• An Inner-City Green Space (Rau Paenga & Citycare Property) 
• Wānaka Recreation Centre Community Playspace (Queenstown Lakes District Council) 
• Te Pae Whīra o Pā Harakeke, Flaxmere Skate Park (Hastings District Council) 
• Joint Agency Work Plan for Department of Corrections (Invercargill City Council) 
• Korikori Village Hub and Park Developments (Hamilton City Council) 
• Luggate Memorial Centre (Queenstown Lakes District Councl) 
• Ngā ara Tipuna ki Tamatea - Storytelling Trail (Tamatea Hapū and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council) 
• Nigel Mahan Pumptrack - Bexley Reserve (North Avon Christchurch BMX Club Inc. & Christchurch City Council) 
• Recloaking Mauao - Mauao Historical Reserve (Tauranga City Council)
• Redevelopment of Dawson School Through the Kaitiaki Curriculum (Dawson Primary School, AUT & CLM Community Sport) 
• Te Mataapuna (Taupō District Council & Ngāti Tūrangitukua) 
• Whānau Ātea at Te Pane o Mataoho (Boffa Miskell Limited & Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority)

Outstanding Event
• Big Splash 2023 (Porirua City Council) 
• iAM Games (Inclusive Activity Murihiku & Active Southland) 
• Play Festival (Playfully)

Outstanding Pool
• Arena Aquatics Porirua (Porirua City Council) 
• Te Puna Kaukau ō Keith Spry/Keith Spry Pool (Wellington City Council)
• Ōtahuhu Pool & Leisure Centre - (CLM) 
• Splash Palace (Invercargill City Council)

Outstanding Park
• Flaxmere Park (Hastings District Council) 
• Foster Park (Selwyn District Council) 
• Korikori Park (Hamilton City Council) 
• Russell Square Playground (Invercargill City Council)

Outstanding Recreation Facility
• Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre (Nelson Community Venues) 
• Te Pae Whīra o Pā Harakeke Flaxmere Skatepark (Hastings District Council)

Outstanding Research Policy & Planning
• Sandy Point Domain Master Plan (Invercargill City Council) 
• Te Whai Oranga Pōneke (Wellington City Council)

Outstanding Community Recreation Programme
• Building Champions Obstacle Challenge (Community Leisure Management) 
• ILT School Swimming Lessons (Invercargill City Council) 
• On the Move Programme (Recreate NZ)
• Unrelenting Pursuit to Enhance our Hauora (Kauri Flats School & CLM Community) 
• Women's Nights (Ōtāhuhu Pool & Leisure Centre) 
• Women's Wednesdays (Christchurch City Council)

Winners of the 2023 Fellowship Award, Paul Stuart Memorial Award, Ian Galloway Memorial Cup, Mark Mitchell Trophy, and Emerging Recreation Leader of the Year will also be announced at the Recreation Awards dinner ceremony during the 2023 Recreation Conference/Nga Rau Harakeke.

Extended link with PLA
Recreation Aotearoa and Parks and Leisure Australia have recently announced a renewal of their longstanding partnership through the signing of a new two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The organisations advise that the "MOU signals the next phase in a relationship that has flourished over the years and is underpinned by a shared commitment to enhancing the mana (respect, strength, pride) of each organisation".

Click here for event details in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: Wellington City Council's Keith Spry Pool is nominated for the Outstanding Pool Award. Credit: Wellington City Council.