Celebrating Our Parks, People, and Places – 2025 Finalists Announced
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.
We’re proud to announce the Finalists for the Parks Awards 2025 and the Young Amenity Horticulturalist of the Year 2025. Winners will be announced at this year's Parks & Cemeteries Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
Parks Awards 2025
These awards celebrate the places, spaces, and people who help our communities and natural environments thrive. These awards honour exceptional places and spaces that enhance the health, wellbeing and vibrancy of our communities.
Active Park / Sportsground Award
This award honours the spaces that bring communities together through active recreation and sport.
Congratulations to our Finalists:
- Maclean Park Skatepark
- Motutawa Skatepark
- Te Wahi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park.
Healthy Park Award
This award recognises parks that champion wellbeing, sustainability, and biodiversity.
Congratulations to our Finalists:
- Kaipātiki Reserve
- Kōpūrererua Valley
- Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park
Playspace of the Year (Under and Over $500,000)
Celebrating exceptional playspaces designed for recreation and play.
Congratulations to our Finalists:
- Raumanga Scenic Reserve Playground
- Waitaha Reserve
- Waterfront Playground, Tauranga
- Kaipātiki Reserve Wahi Tākaro
- Papatakohe Park
- Rānui Domain Playground
- Te Papa Tākaro o Mātua Iwi
Parks Person of the Year
We're keeping this one under our hats for now. The winner will be announced at the Parks & Cemeteries Awards Dinner.
Young Amenity Horticulturalist of the Year 2025
This award celebrates the rising stars in our sector — young professionals bringing passion, skill, and fresh thinking to amenity horticulture. This year, we’re especially excited to see a significant increase in Finalists in the Young Amenity Horticulturalist of the Year category — a sign of growing talent and interest in our industry.
Congratulations to our Finalists:
- Alannah Kwant
- Dylan Madden
- Katie Logie
- Meg Spittal
- Reece Chalklen
- River Foster
- Sydney Allen
We’re proud to recognise the outstanding people and projects shaping the future of our parks and open spaces. Congratulations to all our 2025 Finalists — your mahi helps communities thrive across Aotearoa. We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the Parks & Cemeteries Awards Dinner. See you there!