Trustpower Community Awards celebrates 25th anniversary with extra prize money

2016 Heritage and Environment runner up: Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre members, pictured with mayor Steve Chadwick. PHOTO/ BEN FRASER

Extra prize money will be on offer for an event that rewards the efforts of volunteers as it celebrates its 25th birthday.

Community groups from Whakatane and Rotorua will soon be able to enter the Trustpower Community Awards.

The awards recognise and reward the efforts of volunteers.

Trustpower Community and Communications Advisor Alice Boyd said reaching the 25 year milestone inspired them to increase prize money.

"Over the past year, we've met with councils, attendees, past and present winners, and the wider community to find out what people value most and what they think we can do better.

"It's no surprise that for many community organisations finances are a constant concern."

Prize money for a Trustpower Community Award will double to $1000. Regional Supreme Winners will receive $2000 – up from $1500 last year – and a trip for two to the National Community Awards.

Coastguard Lake Taupo at the Trustpower Community Awards. From left: Taupo mayor David Trewavas, Coastguard Lake Taupo president Mike McSherry and Trustpower's Steve Merchant.

This year, Whakatane and Rotorua will celebrate at a shared event in Whakatane.

"Each district will have its own Supreme Winner and award recipients, but the ideas and inspiration will extend out into the wider region," Boyd said.

The Trustpower Community Awards are run in partnership with the Whakatane District and Rotorua Lakes Councils, and are open to all community organisations with a voluntary component.

The areas include, but are not limited to: Heritage and Environment; Health and Wellbeing; Arts and Culture; Sport and Leisure; Education and Child/Youth Development.

Entries open on Monday, March 5 and close on Thursday, May 31.