Entries for the Trustpower Whanganui District Community Awards have opened, giving locals the opportunity to recognise the dedication of their volunteers and voluntary groups within their community.
Run in partnership with the Whanganui District Council, the awards are open to all voluntary groups and organisations to celebrate they work they do.
"Whanganui has a strong history of community participation, and at the last Trustpower Community Awards, more than 60 groups were entered by the Whanganui community," mayor Hamish McDouall said.
"That shows how much outstanding voluntary work is going on. I think we are the capital of volunteering."
Mr McDouall said volunteers gave hundreds of hours each year to make Whanganui a better place for everyone.