Across Aotearoa, our parks, sportsgrounds, and playgrounds, bring people together, support active lifestyles, and enhance wellbeing. Behind every vibrant space is a team of dedicated people working tirelessly to keep these places thriving. Our annual Parks Awards celebrate the people, places, and spaces that make a real difference in our communities.
Nominations for Parks Awards 2025 are open until Sunday 9 March 2025.
Award categories
Healthy Park
Celebrating parks that actively contribute to community wellbeing. Applicants highlight initiatives promoting physical, mental, and social health, ensuring accessibility, and fostering connections with mana whenua.
Submit a nomination
See who won the Healthy Park Award in 2024
Active Park / Sportsground
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.
Submit a nomination
See who won the Active Park / Sportsground Award in 2024
Playspace of the Year (within $500,000)
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!
Submit a nomination
See who won the Playspace of the Year (within $500,000) Award in 2024
Playspace of the Year (over $500,000)
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!
Submit a nomination
See who won the Playspace of the Year (over $500,000) Award in 2024
Parks Person of the Year
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!
Submit a nomination
See who won the Parks Person of the Year Award in 2024
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.
- A written submission that provides data/evidence to show how the applicant meets each of the judging criteria. (Maximum of words per criteria.)
- Provide a one-minute video, giving an overview of the applicant.
- 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 gala, 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 gala.