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Parks Awards

Our Parks Awards celebrate our outstanding places, spaces, and people around Aotearoa.

Award categories

Two girls walk along a boardwalk with the copy Healthy Park AwardHealthy Park Award

Celebrating parks that actively contribute to community well-being. Applicants highlight initiatives promoting physical, mental, and social health, ensuring accessibility, and fostering connections with mana whenua. Join us in honouring excellence.

 

 

 

Congratulations to the 2024 Healthy Park Award Finalists

  • Gostelow Park – Invercargill City Council
  • Otari Native Garden & Wilton’s Bush Reserve – Wellington City Council
  • Papāmoa Hills Cultural Hertiage Regional Park – Boffa Miskell, Bay of Plenty Regional Council & Te Uepu 
  • Recloaking Mauao – Tauranga City Council
  • Te Rauone Reserve – Dunedin City Council

An image of a young boy skateboarding with the copy 'Active Park or Sportsground'

Active Park / Sportsground Award

Celebrating exceptional adventure parks and sports grounds that foster an active lifestyle. Applicants showcase exciting features, community engagement, mana whenua connection, and evidence of positive community impact.

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to the 2024 Active Park / Sportsground Award Finalists

  • Centennial Park – Waipā District Council
  • Donnelly Park – Horowhenua District Council
  • Foster Park – Selwyn District Council
  • Korikori Park – Hamilton City Council
  • Stratford Bike Park – Stratford District Council

Image of a child on a playground with the copy Playspace of the Year (within $500,000) award

Playspace of the Year (within $500,000) Award

Celebrating exceptional playspaces designed for recreation and play within a $500,000 budget. Applicants showcase intentional development, innovative design, mana whenua acknowledgment, accessibility, and inclusivity. Join us in honouring dynamic and enjoyable environments!

 

 

 

Congratulations to the 2024 Playspace of the Year (within $500,000) Award Finalists

  • Russell Square – Invercargill City Council
  • Island View Reserve – Western Bay of Plenty District Council
  • Havelock Domain Playground – Marlborough District Council

Children play in the playground with the copy 'Playspace of the Year over $500,000

Playspace of the Year (over $500,000) Award

Celebrating outstanding playspaces designed for recreation and play with a budget exceeding $500,000. Applicants showcase intentional development, innovative design, mana whenua acknowledgment, accessibility, and inclusivity. Join us in honouring dynamic and enjoyable environments!

 

 

 

Congratulations to the Playspace of the Year (over $500,000) Award Finalists

  • CPlay Caroline Bay Playground – CPlay Upgrade Committee
  • David Lange Park Playground – Te Ākitai-Waiohua Iwi
  • Magical Bridge Playground – Hamilton City Council & Magical Bridge Trust
  • Te Kapua Papa Tākaro –Taupõ District Council & Ngãti Turangitukua
  • Memorial Park – Palmerston North City Council
  • St Leonard’s Playground – Hasting District Council

A person rolls a piece of turf out with the copy 'Parks Person of the Year'

Parks Person of the Year Award

Celebrate individuals advancing public parks with exceptional management, sustainability, and innovation. This award spotlights valued team members committed to excellence, contributing significantly to park enhancement and development. Nominate now and join us in honouring dedication and innovation!

 

 

 

Congratulations to the Parks Person of the Year Award Finalists

  • Brett Latimer – Upper Hutt City Council
  • Evan Hicks – Green By Nature
  • Anita Spencer – Styx Living Laboratory Trust
  • Josh Clark – Tauranga City Council

Who can apply

  • Any organisation or individual who is involved in parks, play and open spaces.
  • An organisation can apply for recognition themselves or be nominated by another party. 
  • The Parks Person of the Year will be awarded to an individual. 
  • Applicants do not need to be members of Recreation Aotearoa (however will be given automatic virtual membership).

How to apply

Nominating a person or applying for an award is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

  1. A written submission that provides data/evidence to show how the applicant meets each of the judging criteria. (Maximum of words per criteria.) 
  2. Provide a one-minute video, giving an overview of the applicant.
  3. Include three photos of the applicant, including a headshot. 

Important things to note

  • All nominations are to be made electronically - no hard copies will be accepted.
  • You must respond to each of the judging criteria specified for each award. Applicants that do not provide relevant evidence for each criteria will likely score lower than those who do. 
  • Photos and videos may be used to introduce applicants and winners at the Awards presentation dinner, and in external marketing on the Recreation Aotearoa website and social media channels.
  • Winners will NOT be notified prior to the Awards’ ceremony. We want to keep it a surprise. We encourage all nominees to attend the awards dinner. 
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